British state guest to Republic Day 'ignored' by politicians

Given a miss by the netas, military hosted functions in the honour of John Douglas Slim, a member of the British House of Lords and advocate of India's bid to a permanent UNSC seat

Given a miss by the netas, military hosted functions in the honour of John Douglas Slim, a member of the British House of Lords and advocate of India's bid to a permanent UNSC seat

Viscount John Douglas Slim

While British foreign secretary David Milibund raised a storm by linking terrorism to Jammu and Kashmir, the voice of one of the strongest supporters of India in England, was neglected by our political brass.

Though Viscount John Douglas Slim, a member of the House of Lords in the British Parliament, was invited by the government to be a "state guest" at the Republic Day celebrations, his visit to New Delhi was given a complete miss by political leaders. Only the military hosted lunches in his honour.

But Viscount Slim is happy that he is a friend of India. "I love India and am happy that the Government of India invited me for the Republic Day celebrations," said Slim. A commander of the Special Air Forces (SAF) unit of the British Air Force, Slim's father, Field Marshal William Joseph Slim, defended India from Japanese attacks during World War II.

One of the supporters of India's claim to a seat in the United Nations, Slim, feels that the international community should give the largest democracy its due. "India is the largest democracy. The economy is strong. It has a powerful military. It should be given a seat in the UN," Slim told Mid Day in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts from the interview.

What do you feel about the role of Pakistan in the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai?
That was unfortunate. India and Pakistan should sort out the matter themselves. It's an internal matter of India.

Do you think Indianu00a0 commandos and other security forces were not seen as a cohesive force?
No. On the contrary, it was a fine operation. Though I do not have any knowledge about the operation, but from every operation lessons can be learnt.

Your foreign secretary linked terrorism to Kashmir
I cannot comment on what the foreign secretary said.

What is your view of India seeking a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council?
India should get a seat in the United Nations. India is the largest democracy. It is a formidable force both economically and militarily.

Your father, Field Marshal Slim, is revered in the Indian Army and taught in military schools all over the country.
Let me tell you this, he refused when Mohammad Ali Jinnah asked him to be the first Governor-General of Pakistan. But my father refused.

But it (Partition) happened.
Had it not happened, imagine that what kind of powerful country it would have been today. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh together would have become a superpower.