VHP wants India to back US war on Iraq

Hindu ^

[swarthyguy]

New Delhi, Feb 11. (UNI): The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today said the Vajpayee Government should fully support the U.S. war on Iraq as this would weaken the radical Islamic forces that pose a danger to the world civilisation, particularly the Hindu civilisation.

"Today the biggest threat to the world is from radical Islam," VHP International General Secretary Praveenbhai Togadia told a press conference here.

Claiming that the U.S. war against Iraq was a war between the world civilisation and the Jehadis and fundamentalist Muslims, Togadia said India would be the worst sufferer if it did not support America now.

He said India was jeopardising its economic interest by opposing the U.S. plans to attack Iraq. In fact supporting America at this juncture would be a good move in diplomacy.

"Baghdad could be a way through which India can rein in Pakistan and the fundamentalist Muslims of the Middle East trying to wage a jehad," Dr Togadia said.

"India can also benefit economically when Iraq rebuilds itself after the destruction of the Saddam regime," he said

He urged the Centre not to repeat the mistake committed by the Gujral Government in 1990 when it supported Iraq during the Gulf war.

Thousands of Indians working in Kuwait at that time had to return leaving behind everything, including their savings, he said.

[swarthyguy]

Hindu fundamentalists bump.

BTW, India's support during Desert Storm was not broadcast around but airfields were made available to US planes while the official govt stance was a 'neutral' one, ostensibly not with the US but cooperating quietly.

[finnman69]

I would prefer to se Indiatake France's seat on the security council.

[headsonpikes]

As Margaret Thatcher once said,"It's a funny old world."

Who among us can really know where the geopolitical lines will be drawn over the next decade; and, indeed, which countries will still exist as sovereign entities.

It would be highly ironic if India, rather than Europe, turned out to be America's strongest ally.

[dfwgator]

Translation: we need the software contracts.

[swarthyguy]

I don't know if it'll reach strongest but very good will do.

It's heartening to see that the some of the saffronistas are the ones who value the relationship with the US so much they are willing to take on the conventional wisdom of the Indian establishment.

[swarthyguy]

Dude, we got Dell.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

t would be highly ironic if India, rather than Europe, turned out to be America's strongest ally.

Now that is very possible!

[swarthyguy]

At this point, so would the administration.

[marron]

Baghdad could be a way through which India can rein in Pakistan and the fundamentalist Muslims of the Middle East trying to wage a jehad," Dr Togadia said.

While Pakistan is a critical member of our anti-terror team, it is also undeniable that they are an unindicted co-conspirator with Al Qaeda, and with Iraq. They are the source of Iraq's nuclear technology, and North Korea's nuclear technology. While the official position of the government is to back the US against the Taliban and Al Qaeda remnants, the ISI continues to protect and encourage them and to promote their attacks along the frontier with Afghanistan.

Pakistan will have to be dealt with before the game is over. Taking Iraq down leaves them highly exposed and vulnerable to a most healthy kind of pressure.

While we are appreciative of Musharraf's help during the Afghan war, and the access he has given our agents who operate in Pakistan, the fact is that he presides over a house divided. Once our position is a little more secure, we will be calling on him to let us help him clean house, or face the dissolution of his country. The Northwest provinces have become the new Afghanistan, and we cannot simply look away.

[swarthyguy]

You'll appreciate this.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/840854/posts

[headsonpikes]

India is rather well-situated to exercise constabulary control over the assorted Arab tribes and their sordid dominions.

[A Simple Soldier]

Bharat Bhuut Achaa Hai!!!!

Hmare Dost Ko "Shukriya" !!!

[swarthyguy]

Dhanyavaad. Desi-Amriki bhai bhai!!

[Burr5]

Okay, what the hell IS the General Secretary of the Vishnu Hindu Parishad?

A government official? Opposition party leader? What?

[swarthyguy]

A grass roots organisation associated with Hindutva (hinduness), considered rightwing, overtly religious and fiercely nationalistic with a strong free market focus.

Object of much handwringing by lefties.

Allied with the ruling coalition but a non govt group.

[AM2000]

The VHP is an apolitical Hindu organization. As for whether it's in the opposition or not, that's anyones guess. Lately they've been disagreeing with the Indian govt a lot on quite a few issues. Also, the VHP played a huge role in anti-Muslim riots in the state of Gujarat last year. On the other hand, the VHP is busy educating and spreading awareness to tribals and lower-caste Hindus all over India. They've done a lot of harm and they've done a lot of good.