In 2005, Modi’s US visa was revoked under US laws dealing with failure to curb human rights violations. PHOTO: AFP
In 2005, Modi’s US visa was revoked under US laws dealing with failure to curb human rights violations. A year later, when the US Consul General Michael S Owen visited Modi, a classified cable (leaked by WikiLeaks) said this: “(The economic developments of Gujarat) are to be applauded, but do not diminish in any way the importance of holding accountable those persons who are guilty of inciting or carrying out communal violence. The Consul General reiterated that failure to do so will create an atmosphere of impunity in which radical elements would feel emboldened in the future. He concluded by underlining that the US Government considers human rights and religious freedom to be extremely important, and we will continue to monitor developments and engage his Government in these areas.” Owen went on to add the following comment at the end of the cable: “Modi is clearly not going to apologise or back down on the violence of 2002, but we think it is vital for him to hear that we are not going to let the passage of time erase the memory of these events.”
So much for that. Though Modi was absolved by the courts in India, there has been no high authority held accountable for the riots and his continued affiliation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a hardline fascist Hindu religious extremist group that condones violence against religious minorities, is no secret. It is yet another case of the US conveniently switching its policies. And that shouldn’t surprise anyone. After all, there are no permanent friends or enemies, goes the saying; only permanent interests.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (37)
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@Jahangir Chauhan: Chauhanji there is no ban on dreaming and I thank u must be aware of a Panjabi saying which goes like this, Je halwa gallan nal hi banaona hai fer mithas ghat kion rakhie.
The US decision is not a surprise. Israeli prime ministers Menahm Begin and Golda Meir were lableled as terrorists by the British. Of course, the US and the UK welcomed them when elected as Prime Ministers. As someone wisely pointed out, there are no protocols for Heads of States.
Dear Sir, All the rants of a counsel general do not make the foreign policy of a country like America. when you say " but do not diminish in any way the importance of holding accountable those persons who are guilty of inciting or carrying out communal violence." I agree with you. As you will see all accountable persons are under trail and we do not condone such things as a nation. Compare your agitation to save all those who have been found guilty by the courts of law in Bangladesh. The courts in India, after long deliberations, have found Mr Mody not directly responsible. Leaving this aside the truth is that no country today can refuse to do business with a democratically and fairly elected PM. Reservations do not apply to countries. Take your own case in this regard and you will realize the truth.
@Jahangir Chauhan: Pakistan is a Saudis friend.
Yeah Right!!! lol!
@Saud Usmani: It is not 5,00,000 Muslims, the figure should be 5000,00,000 (5 billion) Muslims and you are still alive.
@Saud Usmani: All of what you are alleging happened under Congress Leadreship. But then people like yourself are more worked about the 700 muslims killed in Gujarat. Is there any particular reason you support Congress more than BJP with the stats you have mentioned.
@Rex Minor: Ooh Indians are so afraid.
@Gratgy: Pakistan is a Saudis friend.
@Joan: because of Pro israeli lobbies eating American interests from inside, You people are slaves of Israeli and biased towards Muslims specially the Palestinians when it comes to safeguard a terrorist nation Israel.Americans are hostage to Israeli lobby in US,
@ajeet: dream carefully, it's going to break soon an it will hurt Indian badly. India is a big country where 80 % people are generally poor, malnourished unemployed and least resources with least water, with least jungles left to burn their dead in future how this country going to be super power.
@kulwant singh: Why Americans will need visa to have jobs in India, Indian needs to create jobs to their own population every year to maintains the level of unemployment low. Forget about unemployment will be no more just because Mr Modi bodi have won.
@Rex Minor: May be you are not aware but India has already demonstrate with Iran Sanctions that arm twisting does not work with India. If Saudis had any affect in Indian policy making, Ahmadis would have been declared non muslims In India as well, just like in Pakistan. Any way, we don't need advise from Saudis on how to take care of our own citizens.
@Gratgy: @ajeet:
The House of Saud does not dictate, it is the energy which it provides to the USA which dictates. The USA will not allow Mr Modi entry as long as the House of Saud objects! Not a single drop of oil will be supplied to Indian industry either from the Saudi or the Iranian source,unless Mr Modi publicly declares protection for Indian muslims in India. Mr Modi has been duly informed.
Rex Minor
@Rex Minor: What a joke....There is Iran, Russia, Canada, America to buy oil from. Our stupid govt buys oil from KSA just to please US
@ajeet: LOL Indians still having day dreams of being a superpower I have never heard of a Chinese claiming they are a superpower even though they already have reached superpower status Indians truly are desperate for affection and recognition I cannot blame you however being ruled by so many foreign powers over the last millennium you must prove that you can now stand on your own two feet.
@Rex Minor: Unlike India Pakistan is just Saudi's pet. We are just afraid it might get rabies and bite us one day
@Rex Minor: House of Saud cannot dictate to India like it dictates to Pakistan. If not Saud, we will get oil from Iran or even Canada and America.
@Saud What about genocide against hindus in Kashmir, genocide against Hindus,Christain,baloch, Ahmedis, and sunnis in Pakistan and Bangladesh? And what about thousands of temples destroyed including Buddhist universities?
A nice piece of editorial on the topic of our times; it is not washington's U turn, but the House of Saud which has lifted its objection to allow mr Modi to return to the group of civilised leadership. If his policies towards the muslim citizens will not alter and follow the Hindutwa course, Saudi Arabia will stop the flow of energy for Indian industry.
Rex Minor
@Saud Usmani: please go to quality school than pakistan madrasas for your education.
@ajeet: What about genocide in Indian Held Kashmir, Asam, Bodoland, khalistan, Nagaland etc.? around 500,000 Muslims killed by Indian army only in kashmir. 10,000 in Asam and milions more in religious riots all over India.
Editor : Cool down , Take some antacid tablets. This much of vitriol is not good for your health. Every nation does what is of importance to that. The way US treated Pakistan starting from Ayub to Zia to Mush is a testimony to the fact that interests of democracy and human rights back seat when it comes to America's interest. You should have learnt that. Having said that Mr Modi is cleared by the highest courts in India and that too when Congress was in power. So cool it.
What about human rights violations and genocide in east pakistan? The Us was yahya khan's backer then. Now that the boot is on the other foot & pakistan is a failed state & India 's clout cannot be ignored, conscience strikes: convenient, isn't it?
@Ch. Allah Daad: Did you know that the US has denied visas to many Heads of States in the past?
Any comments about your taller/higher/deeper friend who has been doing brisk business with Modi long before he was even nominated as the Pm candidate by BJP?
@Ch. Allah Daad: Sir, your comments are always very measured - even on those few occasions when i differ with you. Respect.
He is the man when refused visa in 2005 said we will make India so prosperous that instead of asking US for visa the Americans will be standing in que infront of Indian Embassy for Indian visa and he will do it/
Suggest the Editor take a reality pill. The USA can't ignore the elected leader of India regardless of what crime he is alleged to have committed .. just like it couldn't ignore the leaders of old Soviet Union, China etc.
Its not a U turn. There are special Visa procedures and Protocols for Heads of States and Heads of Governments.
If US can't take action against genocide in Pakistan, then what can it do to a future superpower
Pakistanis. Always so anti American. why?
"there has been no high authority held accountable for the riots " Wrong. 33 Hindus including a minister and seeveral Muslims have been convicted for the riots.
"his continued affiliation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a hardline fascist Hindu religious extremist group that condones violence against religious minorities, is no secret"
Please provide a reference to any RSS leader's speech or their website wherein they condone violence against religios minorities. You can call them fascist all you want. That does not make it so. After Mahatma Gandhi's assassination , where RSS was suspected to have played a part, Sardar Patel had outlawed them. Subsequently RSS was acquitted of all charges and restored as a lawful organization. Why should Modi's association with a lawful organization be a problem - that too fo Pakistan? Even if Pakistan believed that Modi/RSS record on minorities was not good - surely it is many times better than Pakistan. Minorities are being driven out of Pakistan (or raped and forcibly converted) and India gets thousands of asylum seekers from Pakistan. How many Indian Muslims have sought asylum in Pakistan or elsewhere for that matter?
"“Modi is clearly not going to apologise or back down on the violence of 2002, but we think it is vital for him to hear that we are not going to let the passage of time erase the memory of these events.”"
Why should a man who is not guilty (which was proven later in the courts) apologize or back down? The trial by media was against the princile of Innocent until proven guilty but to continue using disrespectful words despite the aqcuittal and despite the mandate receied from Indians (which includes Indians) would have been outright ridiculous. Glad US showed better sense. Hopefully Pakistani media (and Indian feudals and dynasts pretending to be secular will see the writing on the wall.
Did US take any action against Islamic state of Pakistan for Human right violation of Ahmadi ? Shia ? Balooch ? Hindu? Christian? How about Iran Iraq Saudi Kuwait Syria
Well you have your answer for US record on Standing firm for Human right violation.
IT IS always SO CONVENIENT.
US's has been a fool all along - since 2002, your all-weather friend has been wooing Modi and invited him to China. Modi' has been to China and Japan several times and have been successful in getting investments. Europe too has been at Modi's door, cap in hand all the while. Russia of course had no problem. No it is India's turn - watch the US beg for forgiveness when hundreds of billions of dollars of projects start going to India's business partners - Russia, Japan, Israel and China.
ET: Everything is factual. Please publish
America took the decision in 2005. Since then a lot of additional information has come to the public domain: 1) Some of those who accused Modi were found out to be perjurers
2) The Suprejme convicted 33 Hindus (and several Muslims as well) for their role in the 2002 riots but after intense scrutiny acquitted Modi
3) Modi has ruled Gujarat riot free for 12 years
4) People of India who have demonstrated their secular credentials repeatedly gave Modi led NDA a massive mandate. Oh and this includes Muslims too. If you google ' Muslims voted for BJP : clerics' you would be able to find the article
Acknowledging one's error when new information becomes available that proves you wrong is a sign of wisdom. US is being wise in reversing a decision which was based on false premise.
Incidentally M. J. Akbar who was a staunch critic of Modi post the 2002 riots joined BJP a couple of months back. A google search for 'M.J. Akbar why I joined BJP' should tell you why people change their minds.
No surprises here ... the US policy has always been self centered, American national interests trumps everything else ... ignoring Pakistan's persecution of the minorities, and systematic decimation of the Hindu population through forced conversion is one glaring example ... no wonder then, the abrupt U-turn on Modi ... !!
Like every country the USA's position is driven by its own interests. If human rights were the only underlying factor in such an equation the US would have nothing to do with the Saudis.