It is difficult to assess the importance of the 20-year friendship treaty the Soviet Union and Syria have just concluded. The Kremlin is known to have been interested in such a treaty as part of its drive to acquire influence in West Asia. But the context has greatly changed with … Read More
The U.S. administration has been the loudest in its protestations of neutrality in the Iraq-Iran war. Yet it has been the first great power to give up neutrality, though of course indirectly. It has made three significant moves so far. All these are understandable in view of the stakes the … Read More
It is difficult to recall another visit by an Indian president to any country that has caused so much controversy as Mr Sanjiva Reddy’s to the Soviet Union. Public attention has been focused on President Brezhnev’s absence from a return banquet which President Reddy was to host, but did not … Read More
The outcome of the general election in West Germany was not in doubt at any stage of the campaign. It was obvious from the very start that the leader of the opposition Christian Democrat-Christian Social Union alliance, Herr Strauss, was no match for Herr Schmidt. The right-wing mercurial Bavarian leader … Read More
Once again the nation celebrates Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary today. Once again leaders all over the country will pay homage to his memory. This has become an annual ritual which must shock not only the few genuine Gandhians who are still around but all sensitive Indians. Lack of sincerity and … Read More
It is open to question whether General Zia-ul-Haq will be able to form civilian governments in the four provinces and at the centre. He is trying to tempt some politicians, belonging among others to the late Mr. Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party, with the promise of early elections. He is said … Read More
It is easy to commend the UP chief minister, Mr. Vishwanath Pratap Singh’s offer to resign on account of continuing violence in Moradabad, Aligarh and some other towns in the state. But it is difficult to recommend either that as leader of the Congress (I) Mrs. Gandhi should take him … Read More
Short summits seldom help to resolve basic policy differences which are often rooted in divergent perceptions of national interests. The regional Commonwealth conference in New Delhi is not likely to be an exception to this general experience. Some of the visiting leaders were critical of India’s stand on Afghanistan and … Read More
It is easy to sympathize with Sheikh Abdullah’s anxiety to preserve communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir. Some extremist organizations have of late been specially active in the stale. While they may or may not be in touch with Pakistan and other external agencies interested in creating a feeling of … Read More
It transpires that the Chinese did not intend to spring a surprise on New Delhi. They had indicated to the Indian ambassador in Beijing that it would not be possible for their foreign minister, Mr Huang Hua, to visit this country in October, as earlier scheduled, or even later this … Read More
