Gaza Massacre Puts Indiaˈs Foreign Policy To Test

Tehran, July 21, IRNA – While the people of India hold demonstrations against the Israeli disproportionate attacks on civilian targets in Gaza Strip, the Indian parliament is embroiled in a dispute with the right-wing government over the issue. The government of India finally broke the silence and accepted to discuss the issue of Israeli attacks on Gaza at the request of leftist parties. Thus the upper house decided to bring up the issue next Monday after other scheduled matters are addressed. Political tensions grew after the Indian government couldnˈt come to an agreement with leftist parties to condemn the atrocities committed by the Tel Aviv regime. Then the upper house was drawn into the dispute and this, in turn, led to some delays in pressing other scheduled matters. Although the Indian government has accepted to talk over the issue with the opposition parties, many of the parties voice frustration over inactive policies of the government and ask for resolving the issue more quickly. The opposition believes a wrong message is sent to the world owing to Delhiˈs silence during the massacre of people in Gaza. Last week, the lower house was supposed to address the matter, but minister of external affairs, Sushma Swaraj, removed it from the agenda in support of internal issues. Sushma Swaraj had already cautioned the opposition groups that an inappropriate statement about Gaza could damage bilateral relations with Tel Aviv regime. After the leftist parties expressed their anger over the policies of the administration in New Delhi, the government finally accepted to put the issue on agenda for the next week session of the parliament. ˈThe problem of Gaza is a very significant issueˈ, said D. Raja, a leftist party leader, ˈit was even discussed during the BRICS summit, where Indiaˈs prime minister, Nanendra Modi, was also present.ˈ ˈForeign ministryˈs silence over the massacre of Gazans has sent a wrong message to the world while the people of India and their representatives in the parliament are against Israel,ˈ according to Raja. The Congress Party has also voiced disapproval of the governmentˈs indifference towards attacks on Gaza and named it a move against parliamentary regulations and a cause of disgrace to democracy. The government is led by Bharatya Janata Party. The policy that the new government of India follows has sparked protests that are manifested in the mottos chanted by demonstrators as well as statements released by parties, intellectuals and scholars. A group of Indians also shouted slogans against Ms. Swaraj in front of the Israeli embassy to Delhi. This happened in spite of the fact that she took up her new position as the foreign minister just two months ago and pledged in the parliament to improve Indiaˈs status in the world. Aam Aadmi, a newly founded party known for its popular slogans and plans, bitterly criticized the administration on Thursday for its inactive policies on the Middle East and the current humanitarian tragedy underway in Gaza Strip. The party believes New Delhiˈs opposition to discuss the issue in the parliament has lowered Indiaˈs international status. ˈThe administrationˈs silence in this critical moment, has violated Indiaˈs principles of foreign policy,ˈ the statement by Aam Aadmi said. The party has emphasized the importance of Indiaˈs foreign policy to support Palestinians and to send humanitarian aids to the people. Political observers believe that Israeli ethnic cleansing in Gaza by the occupying regime of Tel Aviv will test the Indiaˈs right-wing administration that came to power two months ago and claimed to pursue policies that will give Indians a superior status in the world. The observers say people of India have been pioneers in supporting the people of Gaza while Indian parliament which claims to be the largest democracy in the world, has tried to come up to popular expectations. Indian experts say that India would have either a superior or inferior status in human rights sponsorship and in containment of violence depending upon the countryˈs right-wing government which apparently struggles to meet the demands of the nation./end