Posted on 01/17/2006 7:51:31 AM PST by CarrotAndStick
NEW DELHI: India delivered an official rebuke to Iran on Monday, in the process signalling that New Delhi will not oppose Iran's referral to the UN Security Council at the next IAEA meeting in February.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly refuted a statement by the Iranian nuclear chief, Ali Larijani, that appeared to cast aspersions on India's nuclear programme.
As long as Iran was hitting out at the west and Israel, India preferred to keep its counsel. But when the chief Iranian nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani impugned India's nuclear programme, the MEA decided to react.
In a strongly worded response, the MEA spokesperson criticised the reference, saying: "India is a responsible nuclear weapon State and has always been in compliance with its obligations under international treaties and agreements."
The inference here is clearly to Iran's 18-year-long clandestine nuclear programme despite IAEA monitoring. It has been India's central recommendation that Iran should abide by its international commitments.
"We have consistently maintained that it is a State's sovereign right to enter into treaties and international agreements."
Larijani had said, "In comparing American behaviour to Iran with countries that recently developed nuclear weapons, they are being harmonious now because they think that in 10 years' time we will develop nuclear weapons.
But compare that to India, it does have nuclear weapons but they have extensive relations in the nuclear field. This dual standard is detrimental to international security."
The Iranian oil minister Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh, was expected to begin a visit to India from Tuesday. There is no indication that he will be coming any time soon, said sources.
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India rebukes Iran
NEW DELHI, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- India rebuked Iran's reference to the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, described the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal as a case of American double standards compared with Tehran's nuclear program.
In response, India said that as a responsible nuclear power it adhered to international obligations and other countries should do the same.
"We have consistently maintained that it is a state's sovereign right to enter into treaties and international agreements. Every state must fully comply with its international obligations and commitments and in a transparent manner," said Navtej Sarna, spokesman of the Indian foreign office.
He said India was a responsible nuclear state and has always been in compliance with its obligations under international treaties and agreements.
"We regret this reference to India," Sarna said.
"It (India) does not have a nuclear weapon but they (the United States) have extensive relations in the nuclear field. This dual standard is detrimental to international security," Larijani said.
"Why the world should turn international right into a debate about intentions," he said.
Western countries have been mounting pressure on Tehran to stop its clandestine nuclear program. They also moved a resolution seeking the referral of Iran's nuclear program to the U.N. Security Council at the international nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, of which India is also a member.
New Delhi is of the view that the issue should be resolved within the IAEA. It has also asked Tehran to adhere to international obligations.
Huh?
More evidence that India is now firmly aligned with the US, a huge turnaround from their defacto alliance with the old Soveit Union. Having India as a strong ally bolsters the US diplomatic position in Asia. Looks like thge world community is aligning on the Iran issue as they all realize the threat posed by them. The Shiites of Iran want to become the defacto spokespeople for all Muslims and overshadow the Suunis who have traidtionally run the Caliphate. This is a 1000 year old tussle for supremacy within the Islamic world that is playing out.
I'm not sure how firmly aligned we are with India yet, but significant progress has been made in relations between the two countries.
This is another step.
I would welcome India as a strong ally.
You're right.
Relations can only improve step-by-step, and this is just one of them, albeit a small one.
True. France is a more reliable "ally" than India. At least their government officially and openly hates the US, while India's waffles around if they think they can get another Clintonista to wave another Enron under their collective noses.
"It (India) does not have a nuclear weapon "
Bull.
The further the Iranian leadership goes out on the limb, the further they isolate themselves, the more I believe the are incompetent as much as they are trying to forment the fear of the "outsider" dhimmi devils to rally the Iranian people to the government's bossom and war march.
I'm convinced at this point that Iran's leadership is truly incompetent to the core, as compared to the "great evildoers who want to see the rise of the 12th prophet" we want to make them out to be.
India realizes that if Iran goes nuclear on Israel, the situation between them and Pakistan will go critical almost immediately.
QUESTION 2:Are you for it, against it, or simply don’t care?
Iran is a thorn in the free world's side for sure but let's set that problem aside for a moment. India and the United States are destined to be close allies. If for no other reason than the incredible success Indian-Americans have found here in the United States and the incredible number of my American friends who have spent time in India. I have a close friend who lives near Dehli and he loves it there.
Indian politics are as engaging as ours here in the States if not more so. I wish I had more time to keep up with all that goes on there. Someone mentioned democracy and the other day I noticed India's Parliament is online and the email addresses of reps are openly available. While internet connectivity is still out of reach for many in India, the industrious spirit and strong work ethic of Indians makes India a desirable ally under almost any circumstance. I am not only for strong relations between India and the United States; I believe we are already seeing the rewards of our close ties. The ties I am talking about are just under the surface but are too strong and too vast to keep quiet for long. The future is bright!
Disagreements are healthy so long as there are legitimate ways to work them out. Americans are aggressive in debate but always work out a compromise. This behavior is not arrogance but confidence in the success that comes from rationally working out disagreements to find mutual benefit. Indians and Indian politics are very similar in that respect, at least what I know of them.
Alternatively, those that are irrational and unwilling to compromise have much to fear from Americans as well as Indians. The Iranian regime has chosen an irrational path and I think there will be consequences for it. Democratically minded people know there should be consequences for totalitarian fanatics who threaten regional peace and global stability but at every opportunity we want them to see the power of rational compromise. Unfortunately, the days of compromise with the Iranian regime are done in my opinion.
Agree totally.
Did somebody promise them our automotive industry?
"True. France is a more reliable "ally" than India."
I agree. France is part of NATO, and would support the US if we were attacked by another country, as they have in Afghanistan. India doesnt have any troops in Afghanistan.
France helped us in GW1. India did not.
France sided with us in the Cold War. India sided with the Soviet Union.
India will only be allies with the US if they see an opportunity to use us against China or Pakistan. The moment we are no longer of use to them their loyalty will switch.
They sided with Soviets long before we sided with Pakistan.
The only reason they want to act nice with us now is because we are the world's only superpower and they want to back a winning horse. Eventually they will challenge us.
Interestingly enough, the Indian former Army chief wrote a book recently called: The Writing On The Wall:India Checkmates America 2017.
It was a best seller in India, and is being drooled about on Indian military websites like bharat-rakshak.
It's a must read, because it goes to show that India is not on America's side, whether or not they say they are a democracy.
They want a foot in all camps.
"If for no other reason than the incredible success Indian-Americans have found here in the United States"
Most of whom are still loyal to India, instead of the US, at least the many that I have met/know.
"I am not only for strong relations between India and the United States; I believe we are already seeing the rewards of our close ties. "
You wouldnt happen to know Nicholas D Kristof would you LOL :)
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