NEW DELHI: India, under the Global Democracy Initiative, appears to have accepted the American definition of democracy and agreed to work together to assist “societies in transition” to become more “open and democratic.” Washington has recently been describing Iraq and Afghanistan as societies in transition with US President George W. Bush urging the world to help cooperate in building “free” nations.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who has resisted efforts by the Left leaders to detail the initiative was more candid at the White House. He said, “We cherish the openness of our societies and economies. We value our pluralism, our diversity and our freedoms. These shared values that bring us together must be more visible, not only in how we deal with each other, but also in our approach to the world. We must strengthen democratic capacities jointly. We must oppose the evil of terrorism together.

To meet such vital challenges, we must be together on the same page. We must speak the same language and display the same resolve.” This commitment had US under-secretary of state for political affairs Nicholas Burns almost effusive in pointing out that it was for the first time since 1947 that the two countries had reached this level of cooperation. President Bush was also clear cut in remarks to his troops, “Our mission in Iraq is clear. We’re hunting down the terrorists. We’re helping the Iraqis build a free nation that is an ally in the war on terror, we’re advancing freedom in the broader Middle East.”

Left leaders were unable to get Dr Manmohan Singh to place the initiative in a concrete perspective at a meeting here recently. According to them, “He did not reply.” Sources said that there was considerable worry within the Left on this account as, if taken to its logical conclusion, the Global Democracy Initiative would ensure a reversal in Indian foreign policy.

The sources further said that the Manmohan Singh government had lately maintained a noticeable silence on the continuing violence in Iraq, Afghanistan and against the Palestinians. “It is as if these issues are no longer important to us,” the sources added.

CPI leader D. Raja said that India could not share a common perspective on the issues of democracy and terrorism with the United States. He said that the US could not expect to “export” its version of democracy to the world.

The NDA government had led India into joining “US-sponsored” democratic initiatives, he pointed out, adding it was important for the Prime Minister now to realise the clear differences between the Indian and American perspective.

Under the initiative, both New Delhi and Washington have agreed to work together to implement the Community of Democracies: Santiago Commitment, to organize training course in India, the US or a third country to strengthen democratic institutions, to establish a coordination and information centre to share the best practices on democracy, and to work together at the UN General Assembly summit on the Millennium Development Goals. As Mr Raja pointed out, Dr Singh will be required to explain the details and the real impact of this initiative on India’s foreign policy as well as its commitment to non-alignment. —By arrangement with AsianAge/Delhi.