Vajpayee's letter to Clinton after 1998 tests

Taken from http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/may/13bomb2.htm

Dear Mr President

You would already be aware of the underground nuclear tests carried out in India. In this letter, I would like to explain the rationale for the tests.

I have been deeply concerned at the deteriorating security environment, specially the nuclear environment, faced by India for some years past. We have an overt nuclear weapon state on our borders, a state which committed armed aggression against India in 1962. Although our relations with that country have improved in the last decade or so, an atmosphere of distrust persists mainly due to the unresolved border problem. To add to the distrust, that country has materially helped another neighbour of ours to become a covert nuclear weapons state. At the hands of this bitter neighbour we have suffered three aggressions in the last 50 years. And for the last ten years we have been the victim of unremitting terrorism and militancy sponsored by it in several parts of our country, specially Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Fortunately, the faith of the people in our democratic system, as also their patriotism, has enabled India to counter the activities of the terrorists and militants aided and abetted from abroad.

The series of tests are limited in number and pose no danger to any country which has no inimical intentions towards India. We value our friendship and co-operation with your country, and you personally. We hope that you will show understanding of our concern for India's security.

I assure you that India will continue to work with your country in a multilateral or bilateral framework to promote the cause of nuclear disarmament. Our commitment to participate in non-discriminatory and verifiable global disarmament measures is amply demonstrated by our adherence to the two conventions on Biological and Chemical Weapons. In particular, we are ready to participate in the negotiations to be held in Geneva in the Conference on Disarmament for the conclusion of a fissile material cut-off treaty.

I enclose for your information the text of the press statement issued after the nuclear tests were carried out today. I close with the expression of my highest consideration for your country and yourself.

Yours sincerely,

A B Vajpayee

Vajpayee's defense strategy way back in 1974

Vajpayee was very sharp and foresighted. What step should be taken at what time before hand was known. He could sense it like a sniffer dog. In 1974 during discussion with Y.B. Chavan (The then defense minister during Indira Gandhi), Vajpayee said - "We should not put all our eggs in one basket. That would not be a good strategy and good diplomacy".

Of course, the statement of eggs in the basket was not created by Vajpayee. The fact that he used this to make a sharp point should be noticed. The defense Minister Chavan was talking about Russia and its betrayal to Sadat. Vajpayee clearly told - " I do not want to go into who betrayed whom and why. The Soviet Union will supply arms when it pleases, stops when it pleases. This has made even Egypt to look up for arms with US. We should not depend on any country".

Way back in 1974 a strategy and foresight of this nature is commendable by an Opposition leader (Vajpayee). It is essential to understand that Vajpayee knew that india has to depend upon several countries rather than one for security and weapons.

In fact Narasimha Rao began relations with Israel when he was the PM. The starting of that relationship and its immediate continuation by Vajpayee in 1998 helped the country during Kargil War. If Israel had not supplied arms and ammunition during 1998, we would have lost the war. India at that time under Vajpayee sensed the dire need and quickly approached Israel and not Russia (This was the strategy of Congress till Rao).

Sometimes crises test those people who can come out with flying colors and perhaps God wants to see such colors. Vajpayee's test was Kargil. He passed with flying colors although there were intelligence failures.

Al Gore's speech in USA about Vajpayee amidst diplomats

In today's world, it is rare to find a leader who combines the qualities of idealism and pragmatism, confidence and humility. In you, Mr. Prime Minister, we find such a leader.

As a poet, you have inspired the imagination of your people with your eloquence. As Prime Minister, you have challenged your people to act on their imagination, to create a shared vision for a united, democratic, prosperous and peaceful India, and then to make that vision a reality. You are truly a leader in both word and deed.

President John Kennedy once said, in our country, "If more politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, I am convinced the world would be a little better place to live." I cannot translate that into Hindi, but Mr. Prime Minister, you embody President Kennedy's words. You know both poetry and politics, and through your inspired leadership, you are indeed making the world a better place to live.

In your poem Oonchai -- or "height" in English -- you speak of the importance of not losing touch with humanity as one rises in life. Your poem ends with a stirring line, which I would like to quote: "Never let me climb so high that I cannot bend down to embrace another human." You have dedicated your life to this noble ambition.

I am confident that India is destined for great heights. One of the World's great civilizations, India has emerged, of course, as one of it's great democracies. India's history has been turbulent at times. But your nation is on the way to overcoming these challenges by embracing change, uniting all, and setting a course for the future.

Ref:
http://www.indianembassy.org/indusrel/pm_us_2000/gore_pm_september_15_2000.htm

This interesting speech highlights one thing. Vajpayee had changed the mindset of US about India. It was reflected in the speech. Sometimes, any reader might wonder and say - "Nothing unusual about this. US does appreciate and respect and gives warm welcome of this kind if it wants to pursue diplomatic relationships. "

My reply to such a statement is that one could not have imagined that US could do such a complete U-turn in a span of 2 years. It is not possible to convince big powers to speak so much about our country and its people (in a positive manner) just to smoothen relationships. Why should US care anyways about this courtesy? They could have simply conducted a bilateral meeting and announced the change of relationships. They made it a gala event because they became genuinely interested in having diplomatic interest. It cannot be denied that the Indian lobby in US also played a great role. However, Vajpayee had given a midas touch. It worked. In fact, click here. This article says how Clinton immediately lifted sanctions within couple of months of talks with Jaswant Singh. It is a really a miracle for an ordinary citizen, but a small task for two big speakers - Vajpayee and Jaswant Singh.

Some critics may even argue that US wanted someone in Asia to counterweight China and so chose India. This is true but not the major factor that heralded a new wave of positiveness in the 2 largest democracies. Indian lobbies have been pressing for stronger relationships with India since 1995. But, US was not serious until Kargil war happened and Jaswant Singh had around 14 round of talks.