The abduction of 40 Indian workers in the Iraqi city of Mosul has posed a major diplomatic challenge for the new government in New Delhi. India has sent Suresh Reddy, a former envoy to Iraq, to Baghdad and is exploring all options to ensure that the hostages are released at the earliest.
In this interview with Manish Chand, Editor-in-Chief, India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org), R. Dayakar, a former Indian envoy to Baghdad, shares his views on the unfolding crisis, its impact on the India and the options before New Delhi to secure the release of its nationals.
(Excerpts from the interview)
Q) Days after 40 Indians have been kidnapped in Iraq, there is still no clarity on their whereabouts and the plan to rescue them? What are India’s options in such a situation?
A) Our option is to start negotiations with the kidnappers. The Iraqi government can’t play much of a role in it, or can play only a limited role in it. Moreover, the situation requires force and the Iraqi government does not have the means to do so.
The distressing thing is that the identity of the kidnappers is not known; so we do not know with whom to negotiate. Ambassador Suresh Reddy – he has reached Baghdad this morning – should have some contacts in Iraq who could help start negotiations.
Q) Do you think Indians were targeted by the militant group?
A) There is no political motive per se. There is no targeting of Indians. Basically, the Indian workers have been trapped there, along with those of other nationalities. These people just happen to be in the camp from where they were kidnapped. It is the responsibility of the employer to secure their release.
Q) How do you look at the rise of the militant group called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)? What is their ideology and what do they want?
A) Their stated objective is to establish a caliphate in Iraq and place the country under the Shariat law. They emerged in the wake of the power vacuum following the ouster of Saddam Hussein from power. It’s a pan-Islamic outfit, which also includes jihadis from other countries and places like Chechnya.
Q) Do you think the ISIS, given their pan-Islamic ideology, will target India and try to harm Indian interests in the region?
A) That can’t be ruled out. Efforts may be made by them to target Indian interests. But they will not succeed.
Q) How will the Iraq crisis impact the Indian economy and the country’s energy security?
A) It will not impact the Indian economy and oil supplies in any significant way. The supply line from Basra, from where we get most of our oil in Iraq, remains fully functional. Oil supplies to India from Iraq are, therefore, continuing. Trade and economic relations are also going on, and have not been hit in any significant way. But those Indian companies planning investment in Iraq may to have to review and put their plans on hold till the situation stabilises. This caution does not apply to just Indian companies and investors, but also to companies from other countries like China, Japan and the US.
Q) There have been reports of India seeking help from other countries in the rescue of Indian hostages? Do you think it’s prudent to seek help from other countries in such a situation?
A) I don’t think these reports are correct. Taking the help of the third country won’t be a prudent step; in fact, it could prove to be counter-productive. India should conduct negotiations on its own.
Q) Do you think there is a serious threat to the stability in Iraq? How serious is the situation in that country?
A) The Iraqi state is fully functional and stable. It has full support of the international community. Over two-thirds of Iraq has not been affected by violence and insurgency. The situation is, however, grave as rebels/insurgents have taken control of chunks of territory and it’s imperative to restore the authority of the central government. On the whole, it’s a fluid and volatile situation. We will have to wait and watch to see how it all pans out.
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
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