Big powers have taken it as their legitimate right to interfere in the internal affairs of another country, more so in neighboring ones, on some fictitious pretexts. They interfere either openly or in a proxy-war fashion quite secretly. USA tops the list of such powers that unwittingly do this terror game as a routine matter. The erstwhile Soviet Union also did this in Eastern Europe and in those nations that were once following the Soviet “ideology” (Moscow then allowed what was known as the “limited sovereignty” to pro-Soviet nations including the so-called Non-Aligned Nations). India was a close ally of USSR and got its weapon systems and technology, including remote used for creating acts of mini terrorism on domestic front.

Less powerful countries in every region also interfere in the neighbors' affairs and try to coerce them or influence their policies. Interestingly, as Gorbachev’s “perestroika” was progressing the USA “rightfully” interfered even in the Soviet affairs chiefly to make its economy failed. That is perhaps the yardstick the world can use to describe the end so-called “Cold war” and US claiming victory for that. But with the falloff Soviet system, USA became the unique country that has the capability, power and will to interfere in the internal matters of any chosen country now, including Russia and its former “Warsaw Pact” nations.

India has also been keen to showcase its military power to its neighbors. New Delhi seems to have determinedly used its unofficial US engagement for nearly a decade now to create problems for Bangladesh and Pakistan, including the Musharraf government. Hoping to appease India in legitimizing the illicit engagement with India through a “proper’’ nuclear deal, Washington could have done enough damage for Musharraf as well. Both USA and India can do any thing to keep up their ruling regimes at home with less damage. Creating and fueling turmoils in neighboring nations is one of the best ways, India thinks, of strengthening its power in the region.

Economic power determines of a nation determines whether or not it can successfully interfere in the internal affairs of its neighbors. Like the USA, India assuming to be a super power in South Asia has also taken it as its legitimate right to interfere in the affairs of Pakistan and Bangladesh and other neighbors, but these two countries are hit much worse in their onward march owing to India’s anti-neighbor stance. New Delhi cleverly uses ‘democracy’ plank to do what ever it wants with its Muslims on a permanent basis. Since both Pakistan and Bangladesh are Muslim neighbors cash rich India now-a-days plays destructive role in both these countries that are already under the grip of serious crisis.

India claims credits for the creation of Bangladesh but never promoted its legitimate development fearing that that would undermine India’s “national’’ interests. But India claims to the sole leader of south Asian nations for international prestige and benefits. No one needs any illustration about India attitude to the Bangladeshis coming to India to visit their loved ones or for making a living. Recent student unrest in Bangladesh is most unfortunate at a time when the country makes all efforts to come back to a sot of normalcy. What irks is the fact that an ordinary incident on the Dhaka campus could lead to become a national problem. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has tactfully denied media reports alleging the involvement of its officials in the recent student protests across Bangladesh the mission categorically rejects such media reports as baseless, malicious, motivated and absolutely untrue." Naturally the present Bangladesh government does not desire it at all. The accusations by Bangladesh about Indian interference in the tragic movement with murders cannot be ruled out, though India as usual denies any involvement.

Generally, it is India which accuses the involvement of either Pakistan or Bangladesh whenever some "blast" takes place in the country, claims to be a totally innocent nation with good amount of tolerance (Babri style? Kashmir genocides?) and shouts at the top of its voice that these countries be called terrorist states. It is a shameful act that countries like USA and India, on the strength of their financial muscles and influence, interfere in internal affairs of less powerful countries regularly and the affected country is unable to take punitive measures against them. Since this is a routine issue concerning the so-called “national interest of "strong"powers, they take every possible economic as well as media steps to influence the world.Both Pakistan and Bangladesh, therefore, must involve the UN in setting norms against such nefarious activities of more powerful nations crippling the economies of less developed nations.

Until US invasion of Afghanistan, USA did search for some pretext, but now it does not require even that for aggression. India thinks US imperialistic invasions are a great boon to it and it can now advance any hidden agenda without fear. USA now can not only interfere but also invade any nation at will on the pretext of terrorism,democracy, new regime or regime change, etc and stay on there comfortably, exporting the natural resources, including energy. True, even with the help of UN it is not so easy to change the arrogant foreign policy of USA, but then unless UN is involved practically nothing could be done to USA.Unless US is controlled effectively, it seems, countries like arrogant India cannot be contained any significantly.

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Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal Research Scholar,School of International Studies,Jawaharlal NehruUniversity,NewDelhi, India
E mail : abdulruff_jnu@yahoo.com