Wonderful innings Sashi. One thing I failed to understand was why India preferred to focus on UN Secretary General post in lieu of a permanent security council position. That wasn't a correct strategy and India's half-hearted approach did not evoke much interest. Big daddy talked and talked, never extended support. All-out efforts and a proper homework are essential ingredients of a successful diplomacy and we lacked that pro-active assertions. The UN is still infested with a world war-centric mindset, something like a KALNEMI KA LANKABHAG. The inclusion of India, at least one Middle Eastern state and a representation from Africa will provide a meaningful re-structuring of the UN. PERESTROIKA, the darling phraseword of the West is conspicously absent in UN. Quite often UN has been misconstrued as a tool for the Western world to legitimise its apparently illogical or arm-twisting actions. We sincerely hope that Sashi Tharoor will work upon to make UN a credible institution for resolving global conflicts. GOOD LUCK SASHI.
