India throws right punches in diplomatic row with US

The Devyani Khobragade controversy at least managed to unify a fractured Indian parliament into professing condemnation of the incident. This means that when it comes to national interest, warring Indian politicians can also manage to stand and shout from a common platform.

Closer to home, however, the incident should provide New Delhi with valuable lessons. At the very least, India needs to toughen up the doctrines of its foreign policy. Firm but fair should be the way to go, rather than be conciliatory and seek to appease everyone through ‘soft diplomacy’ at every instance.

Today India holds its own against established global powers. Nations who have, for decades, interacted with it in a patronising and high-handed manner should get a suitable reality check. Conversely, if India seeks to be taken seriously then it must act like it means business. The Indian government’s reaction to its US counterpart has, in this context, been interesting to watch. New Delhi has gone toe-to-toe in the opening rounds of this diplomatic boxing match to reassert its stature. Washington clearly had not expected such an aggressive reaction. It had underestimated the opposition. This arrogance is the foundation of US policy. It lies at the core of its many misadventures across the world. The US simply refuses to accept that times have changed. It would be interesting to see how matters are resolved in this game of diplomatic manoeuvres.