Veer Savarkar and China- Part 3

“China, Russia, Britain or even the recently established Pakistan all are talking of high-sounding principles, but they do so as a step towards diplomatic measures to achieve their own ends, and for the success of their own political objectives. In the present state of human relationship it should be just so; but of all the countries India alone has for long been in the habit of preaching sermons of high principles to others and unilaterally bringing them into practice, which ultimately proves disastrous to the interests of India. I only hope that this does not happen in this case of five principles, Panchsheel that are said to have been enunciated."

 

 

Savarkar is stating a naked truth that preaching sermons of high principles is very good thing on moral ground but practically if we alone follow it and other nations only orally preaching it but it never reflect in their actions, then it may prove disastrous to the interests of India. So Savarkar was hoping that this should not happen in case of Panchsheel but no one paid attention towards Savarkar’s warnings of 1954 and betrayal of 1962 happened. It proves that covert enemy is more dangerous and harmful than explicit enemy. In 1965 war, we were well-prepared and we won that war against Pakistan whom we consider as our open enemy but lost against covert enemy i.e. China in 1962 war due to mirage of high principles of Panchsheel and slogans like ‘Hindi-Chini bhai bhai’ and lack of military preparedness.

 

“What I feel is that if at all China uses India as a spring board or a handle to push forward her own territorial aims and interests, India should also primarily safeguard her own interests and if these moves do not go against her interests then alone take part in it. So long as China is looking to her interests alone, India should also follow the same footsteps and use the good wishes of China only in so far as they help to push the interest of India forward. We should believe in their good faith and good intentions as much as and as long as they believe in ours."

 

 

“One fact must be made dear here and it is that U.K., U.S.A., U.S.S.R. and China can force India to bring into practice all these principles because they hold the upper hand, being in possession of atomic and nudear weapons of warfare. But can India do the same? Can India force these nations to see that they follow the principles that they profess to preach? This is the most important question. It is no use having political or diplomatic fellow-feeling or friendship with either China or Russia on this basis. We must immediately undertake to see that military potential and preparedness of the Indian armed forces with modern and most up-to-date weapons of warfare is not being neglected and that we too can produce atomic and nuclear weapons just as these nations can. If China can erect plants and factories for the manufacture of atomic weapons of warfare in Sinkiang and other places we should also be able to do so. There is nothing difficult in it. Our scientists and laboratories might be able to invent and manufacture such weapons in a year or two or they might invent even more destructive ones…..But so long our weak and impotent Government at the Centre does not take even one step to achieve these objectives it is no use talking of high principles and running after the mirage of world peace, peaceful co-existence, world brotherhood and prosperity, and nothing good can come out of such so- called good-will visits.

 

 

High principles must have sound armed strength behind them to see that they are brought into practice by those who talk eloquently about it. Taking all these things into consideration I feel that the time has come now when the Central Government must immediately take steps to increase the armed might and the military potential of India.” (Keer, Dhananjay. Veer Savarkar, Popular Publication, 2nd edition, 1966, page 490-491)

 

In 1954, Savarkar was demanding the modernization of armed forces of India. We must develop atomic and nuclear bombs, adopt advanced technology and need to use modern warfare to hold upper hand in Superpowers, but not to become Superpower, but to become India an idol of high principles. We must build our nation on high principles but we must be up-to-date in all fields to protect those high principles. As Savarkar said, ‘High principles must have sound armed strength behind them to see that they are brought into practice by those who talk eloquently about it.’

 

During recent conflict between India and China, We were well prepared, vigilant and equipped with advanced arms and weapons, modern warfare and almost all Superpowers in favor of us due to our impressive foreign diplomacy. So indirectly we followed and implement what Savarkar told in 1954. It proves Savarkar’s greatness and foresight.