Yet, the CPM is threatening to pull down a government that is on the verge of a historic settlement with Pakistan and a redefinition of the subcontinent’s political future. Worse still, it is the BJP that will reap the political benefits from the CPM’s tactics of whipping up ultra-nationalism and xenophobia dressed up as anti-imperialism. Given its utter opportunism in opposing the Indo-US nuclear deal, the BJP will have no hesitation in disowning Vajpayee’s legacy of peace with Pakistan and attacking any settlement on J&K as a sell-out.

For unlike the current deal with the US, real issues of territorial sovereignty are involved in the negotiations with Pakistan on J&K. Forget for a moment the CPM’s demand for a constitutional amendment to give Parliament the power to ratify treaties. You can take it for granted that no talks with Pakistan will succeed, if they were to be measured against the unanimous 1994 Parliamentary resolution on J&K.

In his statement to Parliament, Manmohan Singh confidently asserted that history will judge him right on his nuclear engagement with the US. History will be even more generous to the UPA government for its bold negotiation on J&K with Pakistan.

History, however, has not been kind to the Indian Communist movement on its knack to get the big moments in our history, including Independence and the Partition six decades ago, invariably wrong. It will be particularly harsh on the current leadership of the CPM if it carries out the puerile threat to pull down the UPA government that is all set to elevate India’s position in the region and the world.

... contd.