INDIA is the world’s largest (if not the greatest) democracy. Gone are the days when military commanders made no public statements about foreign policy.

Now all is grist for the Indian army chief’s mill. As self-styled spokesman of the civil government, he freely comments upon India’s relations with other countries.

In a recent outburst, he has commented on the impact of US sanctions if India continued its arms purchases from Russia or oil imports from Iran. India’s heartburn at Nikki Haley’s no-nonsense blunt talk with Modi is understandable. But, then, India used to have a loud-mouthed information and foreign minister also.

Has a de facto coup overtaken India?

Mohammad Sa’ad

Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2018