India Votes Against Iran.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog, has voted in favor of a resolution that reports Iran's case to the UN Security Council, paving the way for possible sanctions. The resolution was passed with twenty seven countries voting in favor, and three against (Syria, Venezuela and Cuba) . Five countries abstained (Algeria, Belarus, Indonesia, Libya and South Africa).

India voted in favor of the resolution. This is a most unfortunate decision by the Indian government. It is a good example of how regard for immediate range of the moment benefits trumped the long term considerations. It is perfectly clear that India decided to vote against Iran purely to ingratiate itself with the US.

It has been said before that Iran acquiring nuclear weapons under the leadership of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is an eventuality that should be prevented at any cost. But I am not sure if this is the way to achieve that objective. Very likely sanctions will be imposed and innocent civilians will suffer the consequences. Iran is years away from acquiring nuclear weapons even if it wanted to, and this precipitate action is totally uncalled for and only reflects arrogance of the United States.

Double standards of the US have long been clear. They were reaffirmed during the deliberation on this resolution. The US vehemently opposed the inclusion of the clause "A solution to the Iranian issue would contribute to global nonproliferation efforts and to realizing the objective of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, including their means of delivery", promoted by Egypt. Obviously the US did not want its ally in the region, Israel, to halt its secret nuclear weapons program. They gave in only after intense backing of the clause by the European countries, Russia and China.

India toeing the line of the US is sad. The US ran nothing short of a blackmail campaign through its ambassador David Mulford, threatening to withdraw its offer of help with nuclear technology. Slowly but surely, India is losing its global ability to stand up on its own and shaping up to be another US stooge. We forgot so quickly that sanctions were slapped on us just a few years ago. And even the US admits that we are a democratic, responsible state, and an ally. If that did not illustrate the US hypocrisy, I do not know what will.

Update: Posted on Desicritics. Go there for some interesting comments.
Update: Posted on Shoutwire. There too lot of interesting comments.