Russian Roulette

Indians and Pakistanis are normally on friendly terms when they are not in their respective countries. After all they have shared a common heritage, although our neighbours have been living in denial since independence. The relationship is not easy though, we speak the same language which does help forge a bond. While in the UN there were quite a few colleagues from the not so friendly neighbourhood, we were “hum nivala, hum pyala”, as they say in Urdu, i.e. we shared food and drink too. Why this sudden allusion to Indo-Pak relationship, well Russia-Ukraine have shared a similar history. One nation, broke up and today sworn enemies at each other’s throats. Not really it is the Bear which has the Ukrainians in a tight Bear hug almost choking them. 

Once again I am reminded of the UN Peacekeeping days in Cote d’Ivoire where we had Russian officers as our colleagues in the Military Observers Team and Ukrainian pilots flying the ramshackle machines and landing them in most unforgiving areas. Russian-Ukrainian bon homie was visible, they spoke Russian, were part of the same USSR Army just a decade ago. Russians were immensely proud and looked down with disdain on most other Army personnel. Obviously they hated Gorbachev and Yeltsin for reducing them to this status from a one time Super Power.

I am sure they would be mighty pleased with Putin, who shares his first name with Lenin himself, Vladimir…he had to be different. The other day I was taking a walk in Nehru Park in Delhi, guess whose statue appears there prominently, Lenin himself. I am not sure there would be many countries where Comrade Lenin’s statue still finds a pride of place. Our socialist milieu would definitely be proud of our allegiance and maintaining the links with history. Putin has left an indelible mark in the annals of history, whether he lands up in league with Hitler, Stalin and their ilk or Napolean will depend on the outcome of this desperate measure. If he emerges victorious he would have changed the course of history, else obviously he would be dumped in the dustbins as another villainous Saddam.

Putin incidentally shares his name with another famous or rather notorious Russian, Rasputin, those of our generation would definitely have grooved to BoneyM's chartbuster, “Rasputin…Oh those Russians!” The once KGB Boss is in no mood to relent and despite the whole world against him, he has decided to finish off what he started. The Yanks obviously underestimated him, you can’t blame them; after all Putin has been at the helm of affairs for almost two decades now and he had behaved quite rationally so far. This irrationality has shocked the West or has it?  

The Military Industrial Complex had been at a loss ever since Afghanistan wound up. The Arms lobby was in desperate need for another conflict to keep them going. One can almost see them celebrating, Ukranian canon fodder, in lieu of some Third World Asian or African nation, even better….after all they are Caucasians, blue eyed and blue blooded….more tears will be shed! The global economy in turmoil... all indicate happy tidings for the Arms lobbies world over.

 We may have given the Non Alignment a quiet burial but national interest is paramount and that has dictated our actions so far. We depend on the Russians for our security concerns.So India and US may be natural partners, oldest and largest democracies, Strategic Partners and so on....but "There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies just permanent interests." Thus spake William Clay, a black American politician. We Indians have perfected this art at home while switching allegiance between parties, keeping in mind only personal interests, ideology can be damned or be adopted. Having mastered it, we can practise it with ease.

“Mera Joota Hai Japani, Sar par Lal Topi Rusi…” , the Awara vagabond RajKapur crooned and won the hearts of Communist Russians, erstwhile USSR. Even today, old timers still hum the tune nostalgically. Indians continue to walk the tight rope doing the trapeze act between the West and and the Ruskis.  Russian Roulette does keep things interesting.....