Italian marines' issue has stirred the conscience of Kerala

15 March, 2013

India's first Prime Minister Nehru was the champion of independent foreign policy. Our foreign policy was well-known as non-alignment. It was not pro-America (pro-West) or pro-Russia. Nehru, Gamal Abdel Nasser and Marshal Tito were the triumvirates of Non-Alignment.

No deviation in Indira's time

Our foreign policy also did not deviate during the prime ministerial days of Indira Gandhi. Though there were many who had sharp differences with her policy, the foreign policy matters were above suspicion. Same was the case when Morarji Desai, Narasimha Rao and Vajpayee, when they were the Prime Ministers.

Deviations started in 1984

There is a strong school of thought that suggests that Indian foreign policy began to derail from the period of Rajiv Gandhi. Certain people allege the hand of Sonia Gandhi in it.

The Italian blow

The decision of Italian government not to send back to India the two marines accused in the killing of two fishermen has stirred the conscience of Kerala. There have been wide-spread protests against this decision.

Conspiracy

It is alleged that the entire mess happened due to a conspiracy among the union government, the state government, the Congress party and the Italian government. There are some people who suspect the role of Sonia's Italian connection. Certain people believe that all Italians are immune from punishment in India.

Opinion of Prabha Varma

Though a lot of opinions have come in the wake of the new development, the views expressed by noted Marxist intellectual Prabha Varma seems to be very note-worthy. He strongly condemns the appeasement of foreign (western) nations since the days of Rajiv Gandhi and now under the influence of Sonia Gandhi.

Warren Anderson who was responsible for the death of thousands in Bhopal gas tragedy was allowed to escape from India. The second case is that of Ottavio Quattrocchi. The third one was related with David Coleman Headley.

According to Prabha Varma the people have a genuine right to know the unknown hand/hands that facilitated the escape of these persons. The new crisis created by Italy is the fourth major instance of our foreign policy faux pas.

Conclusion

Our foreign policy matters should never be influenced by any foreign hand. People have a genuine right to get their doubts cleared.