India has till date not recognized the National Transitional Council (NTC). NTC which has captured Tripoli, the Libyan capital last week, has been recognized as the legitimate government.
HENCE THE representative of the people of Libya by most of the world powers including Russia, which recognized it before the beginning of the “Friends of Libya” conference in Paris on September 1st. Libya had plunged into a civil war after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak of Egypt resulted in a popular uprising in February. Colonel Gaddafi had used his military strength to crush the rebellion by sending in Tanks and Warplanes. The Libyan people had taken up arms in a bid to free themselves from the rule of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi who himself rose to power 42 years ago in a Coup d’état on 1st September 1969.
Supported by NATO air power under the UN resolution 1973 to protect the lives of civilians, the rebels had advanced into Tripoli on 22nd August after months of stalemate. NATO had been targeting military targets and secure compounds of the Libyan strongman who described himself as the “Brother’s Leader.” US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sees an Indian role in transition of Libya into a democratic country. India has remained silent on the Libya issue since the beginning. It fears supporting the cause of NTC might result in violence back home where issues of Kashmir and various North-Eastern states are still unresolved. China has still not recognized NTC as the legitimate government of Libya.
India’s ambition to portray itself as a regional and world power could take a serious hit if it doesn’t take a stand in the important world affairs. Nobody wants a leader who cannot stand up to bullies. Even Mahatma Gandhi spoke up against injustice. A permanent Security Council seat would be of no use if the government doesn’t start taking sides. The time of Non-Alignment has long passed. The diplomatic relations between India and US have reached new heights. The improved relations mean that US will be ready to support India in future but for that India also needs to stand by US in certain scenarios. India must utilize this advantage before US loses its crown as the world leader. Recognizing the NTC is a small step towards gaining more prominence in world politics and India needs to add these small steps if it wants to become a world power one day.
