Friday, November 30, 2012

The Gujral doctrine and Palestine's endorsement.

I shall touch upon two events that took place today. Both seemingly have no connections but a bit of digging into history will throw up the connections.


1. The Gujral doctrine.

The former Prime Minister passed into the mist of time this afternoon. He shall always bear testimony to the fact that decency and being a gentleman in politics don't mean much in our political environment. His tenure showed him as an ineffective leader thanks to the contradictory pulls of coalition politics - small and ambitious men of ragtag political parties prevented him from taking any meaningful decisions! But he shall always be remembered for the emphasis that he laid on carrying our neighbours alongwith us adding that India, as the big brother, could afford to be more magnanimous and giving, to cement relationships - euphemistically termed the 'Gujral Doctrine'.

Probably, the process of give and take must have been nurtured deep within him as he and his parents had felt the traumatic phase of partition, post independence.

He'd held the office of the foreign minister too, among many others, and was an important link in shaping our foreign policy during the cold war years and the period, immediately after. This included our stand on Palestine from times immemorial and hence, the connection!

RIP Mr. Gujral. This nation shall always remember your contributions with gratitude, I'm sure.


2. Palestine's endorsement by the UN.

Palestine has become 'a non-member state with observer status' at the world body, thanks to a historical resolution passed by the General assembly. It also should not be forgotten that the US and Israel had fiercely opposed the motion.

What's interesting is that exactly 65 years ago, the same 'august body' had passed a resolution - known as No. 181 - allowing the division of the then British ruled state - consisting of the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem - into a Jewish state(Israel) and an Arab country(Palestine).

There's much more distance to traverse to attain the gospel of 'peaceful existence of nations' respecting the right of every nation state to co-exist with its neighbours with dignity and honour! It's one's hope that one of the world's most explosive spots - West Asia - is on a sure path to peace and prosperity.





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