Heights

Just came across this article in the Hindu - when a democratically elected government expresses doubts over the validity of a death sentence handed to Saddam Hussein, I cannot but be perplexed. He is someone who ordered chemical attacks on his citizens. His regime routinely used torture and political assissinations to uphold its authority. His invasion of a neighbour was the principle cause of economic sanctions which crippled his country and led to the suffering of millions. He did not hesitate before eliminating one of the world's most important ecological habitats and a unique cultural population (by draining the marshes in Southern Iraq, which is also the home of the Marsh Arabs).

Kautilya wrote about the importance of astute foreign policy, and using it to serve the ends of the state with little consideration for ethics and justice. I fail to see any benefits to India of welcoming this verdict (which was arrived at after a trial lasting a year, and preparations beforehand for almost two years), either from the point of principled foreign policy or the pursuit of national interest.