How Dr Singh has viewed a deal between two sovereign nations through the prism of his personal relationship with George Bush — a relationship in which he sees himself as a junior partner — is evident from the dialogue between the two in Japan, on the sidelines of the G-8 summit earlier this month. After Bush congratulated him “on your leadership at home”, he said, “I’m very happy to report to the President that our relations have moved forward handsomely since our first meeting in July 2005.” Notice the words “I’m very happy to report to the President...” Is the Prime Minister of any self-respecting democratic nation expected to “report” the President of America? Would Dr Singh care to report to India’s Parliament, when it meets tomorrow and day after for a special session to determine the fate of his government, what assurance he gave to Bush in Japan?
