Manmohan slams West for using force to change regimes

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday strongly criticized Western powers for using force to change regimes in other countries, a reference to Libya amid calls for a similar intervention in Syria, cautioning that societies cannot be re-engineered by outsiders.
In a direct criticism of Western military operations in Libya and likely action in Syria, the PM asserted at the United Nations General Assembly that absence of democracy and rule of law cannot be a pretext to violate sovereignty and integrity of countries.
“The observance of the rule of law is as important in international affairs as it is within countries. Societies cannot be reordered from outside through military force. People in all countries have the right to choose their own destiny and decide their own future,” the prime minister said in a speech which also drew applause for a strong call for expanding the UN Security Council.
Significantly, Singh also used the occasion to make plain his desire to continue efforts to improve ties with Bangladesh, saying the upswing in bilateral ties was beneficial to the security of both: a possible pointer to a fresh effort at persuading West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to drop her resistance to the accord for sharing of Teesta waters.
The speech also saw the PM highlighting India’s new status as an emerging power as well as its willingness to play a bigger role on the international stage. “We wish to quicken the pace of India’s transformation in partnership with the international community. A fast growing India can expand the boundaries for the global economy. A democratic, plural and secular India can contribute to tolerance and peaceful co-existence among nations,” he said.
Although consistent with India’s historical insistence to respect sovereignty and integrity of nations, the blunt remark warning about the perils of the West succumbing to the temptation to impose democracy underlined a growing disconnect between India and the US. After the close relationship fostered by Singh, the criticism is jarring.
While acknowledging that the international community has a role to play to help with the process of transition and institution building, Singh said, “The idea that prescriptions have to be imposed from outside is fraught with danger.”
He continued, “Actions taken under the authority of the United Nations must respect the unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of individual states”: a remark which echoed the feeling in India that Western powers went beyond the mandate they secured from the Security Council to use force in Libya.
The PM stressed the need to abide by the foundational principles of the UN -- internationalism and multilateralism -- as he said, “We will succeed if our efforts have legitimacy and are pursued not just within the framework of law but also the spirit of law.”
The PM also repeated India’s strong support to Palestine’s demand for full membership of the United Nations as a state. “India is steadfast in its support for the Palestinian people’s struggle for a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognizable borders side by side and at peace with Israel. We look forward to welcoming Palestine as an equal member of the United Nations,” he said.
Making a strong pitch for the expansion of the UN Security Council so that it can reflect the contemporary reality, the PM said, “Such an outcome will enhance the Council’s credibility and effectiveness in dealing with global issues. Early reform of the Security Council must be pursued with renewed vigour and urgently enacted.”
He also focused on the piracy in the Indian Ocean, terming it a new threat to international security, and called for a comprehensive and effective response. On terrorism, he called for an “unrelenting fight” cautioning yet again against “selective approaches”.