PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO IRAQ. Review on Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (MEA)

MEA is located in the North Block at New Delhi and is a big Ministry though not a Ministry with the clout of Home Affairs and Finance or Defence.

During the previous BJP Govt., the MEA took many bold initiatives. Major ones included improving our relationship with the United States of America, Israel, Pakistan and China. The Indian Armed Forces were permitted to participate in joint exercises with US Armed Forces and for the first time we imported defence hardware from Israel.

The Foreign Office does a lot of homework particularly if there is a major foreign policy shift of the Govt. of India. When Govts. change, as we have now moved on from the UDF Govt. to the Congress led coalition, India’s Foreign Policy also shifts.

The CPM and CPI do not want India to be seen as a close ally of the USA and would desire to move away from Israel. The spin-doctors at the MEA will now have to work hard to balance this shift in a manner that does not hurt India in the long run.

IRAQ THE BIG CHALLENGE

The biggest challenge facing the MEA is the issue of “Do we send Indian peacekeeping troops to Iraq, at the request of the United Nations.”

The Congress party is inclined to go along with the UN but the left parties will have nothing to do with it. Remember this request is NOT that of the Govt of United States.

CONS: A case for a NO.

1. Iraq is presently a highly unstable nation and violent country.

   
   




2. Indian troops may have to suffer high casualty rates in a long drawn out peacekeeping mission.

   
   




3. We may end up replacing US Army troops in the most dangerous areas like Baghdad.

   
   




4. Indirectly, we may be helping out the United States Govt.

   
   




5. Despite multinational presence of troops, Iraq will continue to boil for perhaps 10 years or more.

   
   

PROS: A case for a YES

1. Iraq’s oil. India imports large quantities of oil, about 70 % our total consumption. Iraqi oil could be available to us to offset cost of peacekeeping. Remember Peacekeeping is paid for.

   
   




2. Exports from India: Nations sending in troops for peacekeeping will be on the preferred list for imports of goods. India could miss out badly on this count.

   
   




3. Rebuilding contracts: Iraq is going to spend billions on rebuilding the country. Japan, South Korea are pouring in troops to get a share of the oil and contracts. Next in line are troops from European Union.

   
   




4. India is a recognized Regional Super Power and that status could be lost if we do not extend our arms far and out.

   
   

FINALLY

Sending in Peacekeeping Forces to Iraq is a big opportunity for the Indian Armed Forces and India.

Sending in peacekeepers makes for good business opportunities for India.

As Bill Clinton said after winning his Presidency, “ It’s all about economics, stupid!”