How will history judge Dr. Manmohan Singh, India’s non-political prime minister? Will he be remembered as an opportunist who agreed to become prime minister when Sonia Gandhi’s ‘inner voice’ prevailed over her outer voice?

>> Will he be remembered as a ‘night watchman’ performing his nocturnal duty and waiting for the daybreak? >> Will he be remembered as Madam’s appointee and yes-man-prime minister?
>> Or will he be remembered as a credible man who lost his credibility in political dealings of July 2008 trust vote?
>> Will he be remembered for his do-or-die threat to Leftists over Indo-US nuclear deal?
>> Will he be remembered for reciprocating a measured and sensible response to Pakistan over 26/11?
>> Will he be remembered for not uttering a word over Sikh protests against Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Singh?
>> Or will he be remembered as India’s only minority prime minister who gave Indian Muslims Sachar Committee report?
>> Or will he be remembered for buckling under political pressure and happily allotting time to L.K. Advani to explain his government’s stand on Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thankur?

Dr. Manmohan Singh’s five years of power cannot be diagnosed with the help of above questions alone. Doctor’s dissection must be supplemented by his connivance and silence.

Manmohan Singh, no doubt, is a wearer of many hats. He is not only a sharp bureaucrat but also an astute economist who performed an economic ‘bypass’ to a dying Indian economy and dared to do the unthinkable: open gates of India to foreign direct investment (FDI) and ending an era of license raj. In a stirring speech he had predicted the days of a rising India. Manmohan Singh’s historic budget of 1991 changed the course of India’s economic history. Singh’s radical economic shift was not like Harry Potter’s magic wand but it gradually saved India from extending a begging bowl to IMF (International Monetary Fund). PC Chidambaram’s 1997 “dream budget” was nothing but a legacy of Manmohan Singh. NDA capitalised and strengthened the basic policies of Manmohan Singh. It was only in 2006-07 Time and New Statesman portrayed India on their cover pages and recognised the potential of India’s economic march. Manmohan Singh had said the same 15 years ago: an idea whose time had come.

Political sincerity and commitment cannot be gauged from speeches but it reflects in the legislature. The two most prominent decision of Manmohan Singh government are passing of RTI (Right to Information Act) and NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme). UPA’s common minimum programme is indeed praise-worthy but Manmohan Singh government has failed to fulfill aspirations of the common man. As activist Aruna Roy has rightly remarked,

“In a strange schizophrenia, the Manmohan Singh government remembered to bring the non-shining India to the table, but forgot to serve it.”

Manmohan Singh has spent his early days in a village (now in Pakistan) but his heart only beats for the rich and the corporate India. NREGS was passed after much deliberation and discussion while SEZ (Special economic zone) bill was passed without any debate.

It has been rightly said that Manmohan Singh was in office but never in power. His tenure as a PM has been dominated by his ministers. PC Chidambaram never listened to Mannohan Singh. Just one example of the union budget would suffice. In a letter dated November 24, 2006 just after the submission of Sachar committee report, the Prime Minister’s Office directed to the finance ministry that “wherever possible, 15 per cent of targets and funds be earmarked for the minorities in the schemes included in the Prime Minister’s 15-point programme.” Finance Ministry completely ignored this directive. The post-Sachar Union budget was a major disappointment for minorities. After acknowledging that only a ‘modest’ contribution of Rs 16.47 crore was made to the equity of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), Finance Minister (FM) said,

“following the Sachar Committee report, NMDFC would be required to expand its reach and intensify its efforts”.

So a paltry sum of Rs 63 crore was added to its share capital. And Rs 108 crore was allotted to the districts with a concentration of minorities. FM did not mention the actual number of those districts to avoid the embarrassment. There are a total of 155 such districts. You need not be a mathematician to figure out that only bureaucratic leftovers will be bestowed to the minorities. Out of the Union government’s total expenditure of Rs 680,521 crore, the total allocation for minorities (it includes Sikhs and Christians too) was less than Rs 320 crore. The total number of minorities in India is 200 million (Muslims 150m, Sikhs and Christians 50m).

Rs 320 crore for 200 million people? Manmohan Singh, who himself belongs to Sikh minority, didn’t utter a single word over this. He must have felt guilty but he didn’t have political will power to raise this issue. Swapan Dasgupta has rightly said,

“His total inexperience with electoral politics and his awareness that he was just a proxy made him adaptable.”

This is what happens when a fine economist is turned into a politician.

Manmohan Singh government’s foreign policy has been dominated by America and Israel. If Indo-US nuclear deal took place in full public view then the recently concluded arms deal with Israel worth 10000 crore was a closed door affair. Manmohan Singh was the face of the Indo-US nuclear deal. Why didn’t he publically acknowledge the arms deal with Israel? That would have certainly increased his ‘credibility’ ratings because PM is known for his honesty!

Honesty is a commendable trait but it is not enough to run a country of more than a billion aspirations. To quote Tarun Tejpal would be apt, ““Decency and efficiency are laudable traits, but they are also routinely found in army officers and swayamsewaks. In the leader of a billion people you may want to look for more.”

Dr. Singh will go down in history as the mutest prime minister of India. He has only asserted his authority only once when he had threatened to resign if Indo-US deal doesn’t sail through. That was only time he reminded the politicians that he is the prime minster of India.

Manmohan Singh is not even taken seriously in his own cabinet perhaps because he has never won a parliamentary election. According to Pratap Bhanu Mehta he is “not an actor in his own cabinet.”

Apart from running a coalition government, Manmohan Singh doesn’t have leadership skills. Tarun Tejpal is right when he wrote,

“Without the PM’s tag he would lead a procession that would scarcely fill a corridor of South Block leave alone Ramlila Maidan.”

A strong wave of excitement was noticed among the Pakistanis after the life-enhancing news of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s acquittal erupted. Pakistanis in and out of the Pakistan were so enthusiastic about their hero and the father of Pakistan’s nuclear program; they became so irrational and imprudent while commenting on his release. I do not dare to disagree with the people and their opinions in this regard; because after all odds and accusations he has played a key role in Pakistan Nuclear program and ultimately in acquiring Pakistan a status of Nuclear State. This is not these people but media that has eulogized him as National Hero and people started revering him so.

Demand of IAEA’s access to Dr. ASbdul Qadeer Khan:
However the apprehensions started hovering over; proved to be true; with the immediate reaction came after the court decided to release him from five years House arrest- it was from Britain [reference to the statement of a spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office] who demanded Pakistani Government that International Atomic Energy Agency’s should be given access to him in order to seek information about nuclear proliferation activities, in particular the smuggling of nuclear secrets to Iran and North Korea.

His release irked west and Britain, America and France took it as a matter of serious concern. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday voiced concern about his release who operated an alleged nuclear proliferation network.

“I am very much concerned and will have more to say about that,”

She was visiting Philippine President Gloria Arroyo.

State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid told reporters that Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan remained a “serious proliferation risk”. He said the United States was still trying to confirm Dr Khan’s official status.

French Foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said :

“We are obviously a little concerned by this decision,We hope that the proliferation activities of Mr Khan and his network in the past are absolutely over, We know what role Mr Khan and his network played in the spread worldwide of nuclear technology for military use. We hope that this release will not lead to the pursuit of these activities which are illegal, dangerous and very worrying for international security.”

Last month The U.S. State Department said it had imposed sanctions on 13 individuals and three private companies because of their involvement in Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s network. Reuters has quoted the names of The sanctioned individuals and companies listed by the State Department as:

Selim Alguadis, Kursad Zafer Cire, Muhammad Nasim ud Din, EKA Elektronik Kontrol Aletleri Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., ETI Elektroteknik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Tradefin Engineering, Muhammad Farooq, Daniel Geiges, Paul Griffin, Peter Griffin, Abdul Qadeer Khan, Shamsul Bahrin bin Rukiban, Buhary Seyed Abu Tahir, Gotthard Lerch, Gerhard Wisser and Shah Hakim Shahnazim Zain.

Despite the fact Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousaf Raza Gilani has ruled out the idea of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s network recent activity in Nuclear proliferation; he said

the network of Khan had been demolished, and there was no need of any further information in the matter

American concerns observed when The State Department said it did not believe the network was currently operating but that countries must remain vigilant that it or similar entities did not become a a future source for sensitive nuclear information or equipment.

Questions about Pakistan’s nuclear Program:
Whole world has been criticizing the Pakistan’s nuclear program and the fear remains with the world that al-Qaeda or other jihadis will somehow gain control of one of the weapons, some of the highly enriched uranium that forms the core of a bomb or the technology to make a bomb. It is not that easy to take control of highly sensitive atomic arsenals in a country where all fingers are pointed towards it. Pakistan has been facing mounting concerns over the issue of security of Nuclear program and Pakistani governments kept on saying that Pakistan is capable enough to thwart all types of threats from inside or outside.

However while Pakistan is tagged as politically unstable, safe heavens for terrorists coupled with increased insurgency by the notorious terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in its tribal areas and freeing of Nuclear Scientist who have admitted his involvement in the Nuclear smuggling to other countries, suicide bombers destructing the peace in country, when seepage of extremist elements can not be stopped from a vulnerable neighbor Afghanistan; leaves an impression to the world that Pakistan is unable to protect its Nuclear assets.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s release will aggravate the concerns regarding the Nuclear proliferation in world. Defence analysts in Pakistan have been saying that United States wants to disarm Pakistan from its Nuclear weaponry thus started assisting India. The recent treaty between US and India will leave India exporting Nuclear technology to other countries for civil purposes and many Nuclear Suppliers Group [NSG] members will approve nuclear trade with India, further legitimize nuclear weapons.

Questions on integrity of Pakistan:
Another apprehension hat calls for preponderances is its ally status would be questioned with Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s release. I deem it not wise to agree with the San Fransisco’s Chronicle that says:

Pakistan’s reputation needs shoring up. Its fitful efforts to eradicate Taliban strongholds have led the American military to send missile-equipped drone planes to do the job. The Mumbai attacks in November that killed 179 people were launched from Pakistan and have left relations with India at the brink of war. The assassination of presidential contender Benazir Bhutto last year was an additional low point.

Washington must take stock of its erratic and undependable ally. During his campaign, President Obama said he wouldn’t hesitate to attack terrorists on Pakistan’s soil, and in his first week in office, he followed through by permitting a drone attack on terrorist camps despite Pakistani protests. Even “smart power” and gentle diplomacy have their limits.

Pakistan has been close ally in war on terror after 9/11 and sacrificed in the name of war alot. Serious resurgence has started in its tribal areas and US Drones are attacking even in Pakistani territory. Pakistan’s position against terrorism and extremism of any kind is unflinching despite heavy cost it is paying today in terms of loss of precious civilian military lives and setback to the economy. That has resulted in antagonistic and hostile feeling within messes that government is involved in killing its own people. Special envoys to Pakistan from US has been asking for “Do more”. And the military aids and assistance have been associated with the Do More policy. A democratic government is answerable but still has its limits thus Dr. Qadeer’s release would be a great question mark on the Pakistan’s role as a faithful ally in war on terror.

In scenario where he has been allegedly involve in Nuclear proliferation; even he admitted in front of world on National TV [regardless of the fact he later said he was pressurized and forced to say that by Musharraf regime] his movement is not easy as free citizen therefore Foreign Office spokesman said that the Government will provide all requisite security to Dr. A.Q. Khan. Pakistani government would hardly be able to bear any incident; for me his House arrest was for his security.

Pakistan is committed to Non-Proliferation:
Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state has reiterated its commitment to the objective of non-proliferation. The foreign office spokesman said:

Pakistan has dismantled the nuclear black market network and no individual associated with it enjoys any official status nor has access to any strategic facility. “We have investigated the matter and shared relevant findings with the IAEA, which has appreciated our cooperation”

This bears a clear message to international community that his acquittal has no serious connections in nuclear proliferation anymore.

Internal Pressures:
Furthermore Senate Election are going to be held on March 4, 2009. It is foreseen that the long March announced by the Lawyers as a part of their movement for the restoration of judiciary can forge serious influence upon the results of upcoming Senate elections. While Pakistan Muslim League-N, a coalition party with PPP government has decided to mobilize its workers for the support of lawyers’ long march. PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is also expected to address some of the gatherings. Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Imran Khan has said:

“Around 50,000 members of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf will take part in the long march and stay with lawyers to stage a sit-in on the Constitution Avenue till the restoration of all deposed judges, including Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry,”

The support for the lawyers movement within messes is increased with the few of failed policies of Government of not controlling inflation, corruption, terrorism in tribal areas last but not the least its promise of removing 17th amendment. Government has strenuous pressures from lawyers, a center province floundering and its coalition parties. In such circumstances governments takes decisions that help them to regain popularity among public.

Thus t was ripe time for the government of Pakistan to release Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan to win support and divert the attention of masses towards Dr. Abdul Qadeer. According to the sources the of Pakistan had reached a secret deal after which Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared nuclear scientist a free citizen of Pakistan. Ahmed Mukhtar has said that International community should not have concern over his release because his release was a result of deal and he would not be addressing issues like Nuclear proliferation.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer’s release has serious threats within Pakistan and outside. However As a responsible nuclear State, Pakistan took all necessary measures to promote the goals of non-proliferation, Pakistan has also extended its fullest cooperation to the international community in this regard. However it is weighed that access to Dr. Qadeer for interrogation by IAEA would be rising demand in coming days.

“Now that the civil nuclear deal with India has been finalised, Pakistan will have the right to ask for a similar deal because we do not want there to be any discrimination.” Said prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani soon after the Indo-US nuclear deal was approved by the US Senate today. “We want there to be no discrimination. Pakistan will also strive for a nuclear deal and we think they will have to accommodate us”, He added.

The U.S.-India deal allows American businesses to sell nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to India in exchange for safeguards and U.N. inspections at India’s civilian, but not military, nuclear plants. Asked if Pakistan would seek nuclear technology and know-how from China, Gilani said Beijing and Islamabad had a “unique relationship” that was a “time-tested and all-weather friendship”. China has always been helping Pakistan. Pakistan and China have finalized in August 2006 landmark accord on nuclear energy cooperation, under which Islamabad will acquire 6 Chinese nuclear reactors. The nuclear energy cooperation deal with China has brought great solace to Pakistan, as the United States is not willing to extend such cooperation to Pakistan. With Chinese cooperation, Pakistan would build six new nuclear reactors in next 10 years having capacity of 2,000 megawatts. This was part of Pakistan’s plan to increase the capacity of N-power generation to over 8,000 megawatts by 2025. China has already helped Pak build a nuclear reactor of 350 megawatts at Chashma and it was currently building one more at the same place with the same capacity.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. Pakistan became a nuclear power in 1998 by testing devices in response to the underground tests done by India. The crumbling economy and the concept balance of power situation in region; has leaded to a chaotic situation. There are pending issues like Kashmir between India and Pakistan. A peace process is going on between both countries. However this Deal has the potential of disturbing regional stability and further distorting India’s relationships with important neighbours like China, Pakistan and Iran.

Press Trust of India has reported that The US Congress today put its stamp of approval on the controversial Indo-US nuclear deal when the Senate overwhelmingly voted a Bill rejecting all the killer amendments, paving the way for the implementation of the historic initiative between the two countries. With today’s Senate vote, the deal is now ready for signing by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice when she arrives in New Delhi on her rescheduled trip on Saturday with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. However in India there is an opinion against this deal. Indian Intelligentsia has been raising voices that this The Indo-US deal on nuclear issue is un-democratic and being imposed upon India against the public will. Now the government of India is trying to erase out India’s nuclear deterrent against Pakistan as well by saying that without this Indo-US nuclear deal, there will be no future development of the nuclear energy in India.

Thus Pakistan and India both have premonitions regarding this deal; India thinks it will belittle India’s Nuclear capability. Indians have feared that it has aimed at the elimination of India’s ability to produce any nuclear weapons and nothing to do with power generation. Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), India through a back door with devastating consequences for India’s immediate future.

While Pakistan Thinks it will destabilize the balance of power in the region with support from USA and France; Pakistan will be sidelined, thus it should also have deal with US; if not approved then China..

Input from Agencies

US is getting ready to hit the Taliban and the Al Qaeda who are within Pakistan. So the US has already bombed areas within that country. It is not the last time that this will happen. The prize is not the Taliban or Osama Bin Laden. The prize are Pakistan’s nukes. There were five countries who have the nukes – confirmed – outside of the current nuclear powers – Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Israel and India. In the last few months, North Korea has been forced to roll back its program, Iran has been put on the defensive (Europe and even Russia is chipping in). Israel was never a threat to the West. That leaves – Pakistan and India. Now, both entered – or rather jumped into the Nuke club – together. So, the arguments against Pakistan’s nukes also work against India. Asking Pakistan to roll all that back or neutralize them would not be that easy. Will it? Read the full story