An outgoing diplomat is of little or no importance to a Leader of the Opposition (LoP). But when, in the July of 2000, just before moving to Colombo, I sought to call on the then LoP in the Rajya Sabha, Dr Manmohan Singh, I was surprised to get a date at once. As I entered Dr Singh's modest Room 43 in the old Parliament House, I saw there was no one fussing over him, no one hinting to me that I should do this or not do that. The leader rose warmly from his seat and showing me to a chair, congratulated me on my appointment and asked: "So, Gopal, what would you advise the Congress to do or say?" I was aware that I was going as a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appointee, identified for the post by Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and here was an Opposition stalwart asking me to advise him on Sri Lanka.
Politics need not always politick, nor diplomacy speak in whispers. I said what I thought was the right course, namely that the rights of the Tamils in Sri Lanka should not be conflated with the demands of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and that India must press for a political solution that meets the aspirations of the Tamil people with the sovereignty of Sri Lanka staying intact. By the time we finished, I had spent 45 minutes with one who I would never have imagined would be PM of India, four years from that day. He had asked me the most incisive questions, made me think through crucial aspects of India-Sri Lanka ties. I was moved when, as I left, he said, "Gopal, you go with my blessings."
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 28, 2024 من Hindustan Times Bengaluru.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 28, 2024 من Hindustan Times Bengaluru.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
International Icon: India's international singing talent hunt concludes third season
International Icon, presented by Radio One International in collaboration with Hyperlink Brand Solutions and 9122 Records, recently returned for its third season.
I've done a lot of TV, and I was tired, so I left it, as one tends to lose excitement, says Aamir Ali
Actor Aamir Ali has been a regular face on television for just a little under two decades, having been part of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kya Dil Mein Hai and FIR.
Ariana Grande's 'Botox and Juvederm' joke sparks backlash
Singer-actor Ariana Grande, who has received significant praise for her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked (2024), was honoured with the Rising Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025 on January 3.
Allu Arjun Debuts New Look As He Visits Court To Complete Bail Formalities
The actor submitted sureties at a Hyderabad court after being granted bail in connection with the Sandhya Theatre incident, debuting a new look in the process
OTT Has Shifted the Tone: Shreyas on the Missing Magic of Comedies
Shreyas Talpade's journey in cinema began during a golden era for comedy films—one that produced timeless classics including Golmaal (2006), Phir Hera Pheri and Garam Masala (both 2005).
DSP: I was prepared for Kissik and Oo Antava comparisons
As long as you don't let success get to your head, you are not bothered by the outcome,\" says composer Devi Sri Prasad, also known as DSP, who is pleased with the reception of his music for Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Sparks of Trouble for Coldplay Gujarat Gig!
Ahead of its highly anticipated India tour, British rock band Coldplay is making headlines again!
Rohit and Virat still have the hunger, says Gambhir
No one in the team will say it, but they are all surely thinking it.
Aubrey's husband, director Jeff Baena, dies by suicide
Actor-comedian Aubrey Plaza is mourning the loss of her husband, director Jeff Baena, who died at the age of 47.
Lebrun brothers, the French connection in Thakkar's rise
Manav Thakkar, India's No.2 male paddler, noticed how the Lebrun brothers, the French siblings who have taken the table tennis world by storm, would \"invent stuff\" after training sessions even as the others would wind down.
