PEOPLE LIVING IN GLASS HOUSES ...

Many Indians will not remember today the name of Inder Kumar Gujral. Not that there is much particularly noteworthy to remember him by ! A cringe inducing stint as Foreign Minister in the V.P. Singh government (remember the famous embrace of Saddam Hussein) was followed by the equally forgettable stint in the United Front Government, first as the External Affairs Minister and then, to add insult to injury, as Prime Minister.

One point of note amidst this less than glorious career however was the moment during Gujral's brief Prime Ministerial reign, where he famously referred to Britain as a "third rate power". That comment, though subsequently denied as a matter of pro-forma diplomatic courtesy, sent a powerful message not only to the target of his remarks but to the billion citizens of India. The message was loud and clear -- the British empire is dead and gone. India would no longer accept a servile and subservient status to its former colonial master. The message had its desired effect. For over a decade, British policy has been far more sensitive to India's positions on Kashmir, terrorism and the Pakistani issue than it had ever been earlier.

Enter David Miliband, the British foreign secretary, who, it appears, needs further reinforcement of the Gujral message delivered over a decade ago.

Taking a position which echoes Islamabad's talking points is bad enough. Having the bad taste and lack of manners to actually do it in New Delhi while on an official visit is worse.

Perhaps it is time for an Indian Government functionary (sufficiently senior to ensure the message hits home) to remind the world about Britain's handling of the Irish question and all the violence that was let loose as a result. This statement can, of course, be artfully denied or retracted officially after a few days.

As for Mr. Miliband, he is only playing the game beloved of Labour party leaders with large immigrant Pakistani communities in their constituencies. To choose to do so is Mr. Miliband's right. To refuse to take his tendentious mischief making lying down is India's responsibility.