Mr Kosygin’s visit has once again focussed attention on what kind of policy this country should adopt towards China. In view of its attack on Vietnam we would have had to review our earlier approach of wishing to normalise relations with it even if the Soviet Prime Minister had not … Read More
Though China has made a public declaration that it is withdrawing its troops from Vietnam and even informed the secretary-general accordingly, it is premature to say that it will, indeed, do so forthwith. By stating that the speed of the withdrawal will “depend on how much the Vietnamese obstruct our … Read More
In view of the US defence secretary, Mr. Brown’s recent trip to West Asia and statements by him and some other members of the Carter administration, especially Mr. James Schlesinger, it is reasonably clear that Washington has more or less decided to step up its military presence in the Gulf … Read More
As if Pakistan did not already face enough dangers, General Zia-ul-Haq has added one more which may well turn to be the gravest of them all. He has ordered the introduction of the so-called Islamic laws without securing the concurrence of the Shias who claim to account for one-third of … Read More
It is rather premature to assess the significance of Mr. Banarsi Das’s election as the leader of the UP Janata legislature party. Indeed, it is even difficult to say whether or not this development has long-term importance. For it is not at all clear whether or not the anti-Jana Sangh … Read More
Most of the so-called sinologists have been so used to finding “rational” explanations and justifications for China’s actions that they oust find it difficult to ask themselves whether Peking in fact possesses a viable policy framework. But the more dispassionate among them can no longer avoid this question after the … Read More
The Janata government deserves to be warmly congratulated on the way it has reacted to the Chinese attack on Vietnam. It has demonstrated as conclusively as it possibly could that it is not guided either by expediency or prejudice in such vital matters. Since it has been trying to improve … Read More
Whatever may be said in criticism of Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee’s decision to visit China and its timing, it cannot be denied that he has been appropriately modest in his claims regarding the results. Some of the relevant points in his statement in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday deserve to … Read More
While it is extremely difficult to assess the accuracy or otherwise of rival Chinese and Vietnamese claims, some points can be made even if only tentatively. The Chinese have advanced into Vietnamese territory. But if they had calculated, as they apparently had, that they would be able to withdraw their … Read More
Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee has salvaged the country’s and his own honour by cutting short his visit to China by a day on account of Peking’s deliberate act of aggression on Vietnam. If he had gone through the programme as scheduled, after knowing of the attack, it would have appeared … Read More
