US Congressmen to India: Either You Are Our Pal Or… (An Enemy?)

Tom Lantos

Tom Lantos, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United States House of Representatives, and six other leading Congressmen wrote a highly controversial letter, dated May 2, 2007, to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reports The Hindu.

“In the missive, they have attacked India’s relations with Iran, warned that the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal might be jeopardised by the continuation of these relations, and also accused India of making illegal efforts to procure sensitive technology for its ballistic missile programme.

“They have demanded that India ‘cease illicit procurement activities in the U.S., sever military cooperation with Iran, and terminate India’s participation in the development of Iran’s energy sector’.”

The letter starts like this:

Dear Prime Minister Singh:

We are writing to express our grave concern regarding several recent developments that, if left unaddressed, have the potential to significantly harm prospects for the establishment of the “global partnership” between the United States and India that you and President Bush announced on July 18th, 2005 and for peaceful nuclear cooperation between our two countries.

“As you are aware, on April 2nd, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted several individuals in the United States for allegedly conspiring with the government of India – including an employee of the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. – to illegally procure sensitive technology for India’s ballistic missile program. This activity, which apparently occurred as recently as April 2006, appears to be a significant violation of India’s September 2004 pledge not to ‘obtain or use U.S. origin licensable items in contravention of U.S. export control laws and regulations’ and is inconsistent with efforts to increase the level of trust between our two nations.

“Regarding Iran, we are deeply concerned by India’s increasing cooperation with that country, including the exchange of visits between high-level officials, enhanced military ties, and negotiation of agreements to establish closer economic relations…”

To read the entire text of their letter please click here…

“The timing (of Lantos letter) could not have been worse, with the (Indian) Parliament in session. The tone and tenor of the letter has given an opportunity to both its (government’s) allies from the Left as well as the opposition BJP to go hammer and tongs against (Prime Minister) Singh and the nuclear deal. The government will have to do a precarious tight rope walk in the next few weeks to ensure that the 123 negotiations with the US is wrapped up while assuring its political opponents and allies from the Left that its foreign policy will not be dictated by the US, says DNA.

Now let us see what Tom Lantos has said on two occasions:

Tom Lantos (November 8, 2001):
We know that India has been waging a long — and until now — a lonely battle against terrorism… (India) has been dealing with terrorism for decades, and has paid a tremendous price in terms of human lives, lost productivity and the psychological impact on the people of India… I want to reaffirm to you that we value India as one of our most important partners and allies.

Tom Lantos (September 9, 2005):
They (India) will pay a heavy price for a total disregard of US concerns vis-à-vis Iran. It just will not fly in this body and they need to be told that in plain English, not in diplomatic English…

For more please click here…