Daily Times

India prides itself in being the world’s largest democracy. The claim is based on the number of voters and the peaceful transfer of power following general elections. It may be pointed out however, that democracy cannot be measured in terms of numbers either of voters or the peaceful transitions of the executive. This is particularly relevant as news from that country continues to speak of challenges to democratic norms. The democratic peace theory argues that democracies do not go to war against one another and are extremely reluctant to engage in armed conflicts. India, meanwhile appears always to be spoiling for conflict.

Individual leaders have had crucial roles at critical times in determining the foreign policy choices of their nations. It has been argued that risk-tolerant leaders are more likely to cause wars. Look, for instance, at decision making by the likes of Adolf Hitler, George W Bush, Saddam Hussein, Donald Trump and Narendra Modi. Mr Modi an aggressive leader in 2013 remains a warmonger in 2019. These days, he appears to be bent upon saying or doing anything that might win him another election.

In 2013, Modi was perceived as a Hindutva tyrant who sat back and allowed lynch mobs to seek revenge for Godhra in a pogrom against his state’s Muslim citizens.

Today, he has brought nuclear weapons to Indian elections. At an April 21 rally in Rajasthan, he threatened Pakistan, saying: “our nuclear stockpiles are not meant for Diwali fireworks”. In the backdrop of Pulwama incident, he referred to the night of February 27 as qatal ki raat (the night of bloodbath) and claimed that India had been prepared to fire missiles into Pakistan had the captured IAF pilot not be released by Pakistan.

This is not the first time he has threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons. Speaking at a rally in Gujarat’s Patan, Modi had said, “When Abhinandan was captured by Pakistan, I said [to Pakistan] that if anything happens to our pilot, we will not leave you alone.” He added: “A senior American official said that Modi had readied 12 missiles and might attack if the situation deteriorates. Pakistan announced that they would return the captured pilot… else it was going to be a qatal ki raat.” Addressing a campaign rally at Surendranagar in Gujarat he also stated that he had not succumbed to nuclear blackmail by Pakistan because India had the “mother of nuclear bombs.”

Such irresponsible and inappropriate statements coming from an incumbent prime minister, who has been in office for five years and is eyeing another five-year term should alarm the international community. The Western leaders who have turned a blind eye to India’s nuclear weapons development should consider their repercussions for strategic stability.

It is ironic that some states still consider India a responsible nuclear power worthy of being included in the global mainstream and joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group

Modi’s animosity towards Pakistan and his frequent use of the nuclear threats depicts India’s double standards as a so-called responsible nuclear power status. Officially, they claim that they have a no-first-use policy. However, this does not stop them from being the first to threaten the use of nuclear weapons. Pakistan has been trying to start peace and normalization talks at bilateral and regional levels but Indian leaders continue to spew venom. Pakistan has denounced the nuclear threat, loud and clear. The foreign ministry has stated that: “Such rhetoric for short-term political and electoral gains, with complete disregard to its effects on strategic stability in South Asia, is regrettable and against the norms of responsible nuclear behaviour”.

It is ironic that some states still consider India a responsible nuclear power worthy of inclusion in the global mainstream and the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group. Nuclear weapon capability should not be in the hands of irrational leaders. It is time for the global community to revisit India’s nuclear status under a hawkish leadership.

Another side of Mr Modi was revealed by Rahul Gandi, who, in a recent speech in Chandrapur in Mahrastram called Modi a thief .His favourite phrase for describing Modi was, “Chowkidar chor hai” (the watchman is the thief). It referes to Modi calling himself the watchman over all internal and external threats.

The Rafale jet scandal, involving a 7.8 billion euro deal with French defence firm Dassault and alleged intervention by the Indian PM’s office on behalf of the business tycoon, Anil Ambani, came to the forefront in 2016. The Congress alleged that the cost per aircraft was three times the value negotiated by the previous government in 2012.

Previously, Modi has been accused of organising and being an accomplice in the 2002 Gujarat riots, which happened under his watch when he was the chief minister of the state.

In 2015, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh members threw ink on Sudheendra Kulkarni’s face for being one of the organisers of a book launch. The book featured was Neither a Hawk nor a Dove: An Insider’s Account of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy by former Pakistan foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri. Such events point to a narrow-minded thinking and unwillingness to accept freedom of expression as a norm.

Peace and security cannot be safe unless India abandons its aggressive policies towards Pakistan. Pakistani leaders cannot continue knocking at a closed door. Despite sharing so much, South Asia is the least integrated region in the world. Mr Modi’s policies are making it even more volatile and complex.

The writer is a freelancer