The country has been flexing its mind for the past couple of weeks on the issue of sending troops to Iraq after US invasion. There are many logics proposed for sending or nor sending the troop to Iraq. The Centre has done well by inviting the opposition leader for a meeting and taking her party's views on this issue. It has also sent a committee to Iraq to find out the ground situation in Iraq by talking to the relevant officials and also with a cross-section of public over there whether they would like to see India sending its troop to bring back normalcy to war-torn Iraq. These two steps are really laudable initiatives of Vajpayee government and he rightly did that instead of sending the troop with the over excitement of US approaching us and asking for help. Till now we have shown a very balanced approach and it would augur well if the public in India is also made aware of the inputs from the committee of officials who have gone to Iraq to feel the pulse of Iraq. That should form the basis of public discussion on this issue within our country before we take a final decision on the US request.

An individual can repeat a mistake and he/she loses only a portion of their lifetime in repenting the repeat mistake. However, if a nation repeats a mistake, generations have to repent for it. A nation should learn from its mistakes and its history. We had bitter experience of sending our troops to SriLanka in 1980s although it was sent as a peace-keeping force. Now, US requests India to send the troop under the guise of "peace-keeping" and "stabilizing" (the situation after invasion/US occupation). Those who wanted the government to send the troop immediately after receiving the request from US feel that these are the sound and sufficient logics to respond positively to US. Some argue that we can get some of our hidden agenda -like a permanent membership in Security Council, US support on Pakistan issue, considerable reconstruction contract in Iraq - achieved if we go with US. This is a very short-sighted approach. A nation must resist such temptations. This issue has to be decided only based on the merit of the request and more importantly the willingness of people in Iraq (which must be gauged by the views of whoever/whichever group is in a position to replace the American command once they leave Iraq). In the first place, US made a mess of Iraq without even respecting United Nations advise. It did not consult any of us for post-war help before it invaded Iraq. Indian Parliament strongly criticized US invasion and if we need to be consistent with the stance that we took on this issue we can not send troops simply because US asked for it.

There are also a few interesting questions like why US requested India and persisting with its request whereas it was not that persistent with its request to Pakistan. If India is strong in its views that third party mediation would not be allowed on Kashmir issue, even by pleasing US what are we going to gain on Kashmir dispute with Pakistan? Above all, atleast in the post-war management of Iraq, United Nations must have a say. Otherwise why are we having this global body? Our troops cannot work under US command (although on the ground level it has to be and would be in the event of sending our troops), and in principle it must be happening under the supervision and command of United Nations if we decide to send the troops. Otherwise, we would be denigrating ourselves. Also, the cost of sending the troops and who would bear it and also any loss of human lives which is a distinct possibility in the current situation in Iraq have to be considered before we take a decision.

....To be continued