Charity begins at home...

 

 

In the film Spiderman, Uncle Ben had said to the protagonist Peter Parker, ‘Remember, with great power comes great responsibility.’ Parker, in his role as the sentinel of New York, never forgot that lesson. But others at similar positions as Parker, do forget.

It’s no secret now that India has big ambitions to be among the big league of nations for its size, economy and military power. For her, the onging nuclear deal is more of a prestigious endorsement, than an avenue to mitigate the energy needs. For years she has been one of the largest importers of arms in the world and has no qualms in flaunting her nuclear arsenal and military prowess. And now, she is trying her best to get a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

But does India’s conduct essentially reflect the demeanour of a potential superpower who could be looked up to in times of crisis? Consider this: the whole of South Asia is reeling under severe political and social crisis. While Pakistan’s internal problems might eventually have a volcanic eruption leading to split and anarchy in that country, Nepal’s failed transition from a monarchy to a republic, the menacing surge of the Maoists is a major cause of concern. The jihadi groups have literally made an Afghanistan out of Bangladesh and Maldives, and have been using the locals to continue with their subversive activities while the conflict in Sri Lanka is nothing new for the world. Myanmar is also on the verge of reaching the point of no return.

Intriguingly, in each of these cases India has preferred to remain a mute spectator or at best in a denial mode. Sri Lanka, for long, waited to see India keep up to her big talks of commitment to war against terrorism but India's southern vote bank prevented the same. Eventually, a frustrated Sri Lanka turned to China for arms. Nepal and Bangladesh too have realised the futility of seeking decisive help from India. Add to this the cry for help coming from Myanmar now which also has not been paid heed to.

While South Asia continues to burn, India is happy enough to be in her cocoon imbibed in utopian reveries of that one beautiful day when the world would be following her dictums and sing paeans of her judgements. Well, if wishes were horses, India would have been a superpower long time back, but would not be for the same reason for which elephant is not the king of the jungle.