Hypocrisy in High Places

Why the West Cannot Preach What it Fails to Practice

- BY P. MOHAN CHANDRAN

What moral authority does a superpower wield when its hands are soaked in strategic contradictions?

Can a nation accuse another of economic complicity while turning a blind eye to its own financial handouts that embolden state-sponsored terror? Is there one rule for allies, another for adversaries, and yet another for neutral partners?

The world has seen many geopolitical ironies, but the latest ones involving the United States, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and Pakistan expose a staggering level of duplicity.

When India pursued discounted oil deals with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict, Washington and Western commentators were quick to raise eyebrows. Accusations flew thick and fast. India was charged with “funding the Russian war machine,” even though the transactions were legal, transparent, and consistent with India's national interest. Western media labeled it as backdoor support for Moscow, disregarding the fundamental truth: India was looking after its energy security in a volatile global market.