India is - Powerful

Recently, I came across a poll survey conducted by CBS News. 59 per cent of respondents disapproved of the job Mr Bush was doing. Even in his war on terrorism, usually his strongest suit in opinion surveys, Mr Bush’s approval rating dropped to an all-time low of 43 per cent, with 50 per cent disapproving of his actions.

Now as the PM offers warmth to President Bush, India turns up the heat! Outside, the hours preceding the President’s arrival were spent with lakhs of demonstrators gathering from all over the country to shout "Go Back Bush" as they vent their anger over his policies on Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. The crowds roared in approval to hear former Prime Minister V.P. Singh say: "The people of India have a categorical message for President Bush: Go home." Carrying placards and effigies, poor farmers, members of the minorities, shopkeepers and clerics, including a representative of a shankarcharya, joined to express outrage at US policies and urging the Indian government not to welcome the US President to this country. More to go on, political parties and civil rights groups were determined to make him "feel the heat."

I believe we have the right to claim a place in the world as a rational, responsible and mature nuclear power; and a nuclear military power.