NEW DELHI: U.S. President George W. Bush used the Purana Qila stage on Friday to issue a clarion call for regime change in Iran, Cuba, Syria, North Korea and Myanmar. His was a not-so-subtle message to the Manmohan Singh Government and ordinary Indians to join the "crusade" against nations whose politics Washington does not like.

The United Progressive Alliance Government, of course, had nothing to do with the contents of the remarks delivered by Mr. Bush; having provided the forum, the Government could only listen on as the American leader expressed his opinions.

While the Government could not "control" the message, it could have certainly prevented Doordarshan, the State broadcaster, from carrying live Mr. Bush's remarks. Not only was the Purana Qila address touted as a "DD exclusive," it was also carried by other 24x7 television channels, courtesy Doordarshan.

The UPA Government, which under the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) is committed to an "independent" foreign policy, has not fielded a single spokesman to put forward the Government of India's point of view.

A transcript of Mr. Bush's remarks, posted on the White House website said, "India's leadership is needed in a world that is hungry for freedom. Men and women from North Korea to Burma [Myanmar] to Syria to Zimbabwe to Cuba yearn for their liberty. In Iran, a proud people is held hostage by a small clerical elite that denies basic liberties, sponsors terrorism, and pursues nuclear weapons."

"Our nations must not pretend that the people of these countries prefer their own enslavement. We must stand with reformers and dissidents and civil society organisations, and hasten the day when the people of these nations can determine their own future and choose their own leaders. These people may not gain their liberty overnight, but history is on their side," he said.

Mr. Bush prefaced this remarks by saying: "The world has benefited from the example of India's democracy, and now the world needs India's leadership in freedom's cause. As a global power, India has an historic duty to support democracy around the world."

Hastening `democracy'

The world is currently witnessing in Iraq what happens when the United States tries to "hasten" the advent of "democracy." It leaves the country teetering on the brink of civil war as sectarian groups battle with each other in Iraq's streets.

In a few days, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is going to set foot in Myanmar, a country New Delhi has courted despite concerns from democratic voices within the country that dealing with the country's junta does not befit a democracy like India.

Definitely, Mr. Bush has placed the Government in a bit of a spot. Does India want to join the U.S. in pushing the Generals out of power in Myanmar? Will this be an issue between Senior General Than Shwe and Mr. Kalam when they meet in Yangon?

Clearly, democrats would want a popular, elected Government in Myanmar, but they do not really want a U.S.-sponsored regime in a country that has been dominated by the military for decades.

And what of Iran? A country with which India boasts of civilisational linkages despite having little compunction in voting against it twice in six months at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) while chasing, along with Washington, the mirage of an Iranian nuclear weapon.

And Syria? What harm has it done to Indian interests? And Cuba? How has Havana hurt India's cause? Silence can only signal India's approval of Mr. Bush's comments.

Is India ready for a "joint" export of America's understanding of democracy to all these countries? Is this what Indian foreign policy has been reduced to? Every advance in relations with the U.S., of course, is in the name of an independent foreign policy.

The civilian nuclear deal with the U.S. may well end the technology denial regime imposed on India by Washington and its allies. But India cannot afford to buy Mr. Bush's version of democracy unless it wants to be a foot soldier for implementing global American designs.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu