INTERVIEW OF THE PRIME MINISTER SHRI
ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE BY PEOPLE'S DAILY, BEIJING
People's Daily (PD):
The world situation has changed
a lot since India PM’s last visit on China in 1993, what’s your
view on the recent developments in world affairs? Could you make
some comments on how these developments should affect the international
relations?
Prime Minister
(PM): The global scene has undergone a sea change in the last
decade. The technology revolution has created an explosion in
productivity and growth, but has also raised the spectre of the
digital divide within and between countries. The enthusiasm over
the inexorable march of globalisation has been tinged with disappointment
over the uneven spread of its benefits. Global terrorism has demonstrated
its reach and ability to overcome asymmetries in power. The developments
in Iraq demonstrated the infirmities of the post-World War II
multilateral institutions. All these developments underline the
pressing need to urgently evolve a cooperative multi-polar world
order, which would be based on the values of pluralism and consensus,
and would further the legitimate interests and aspirations of
its constituent elements. India and China can be partners in this
endeavour.
PD: India
and China are both great countries, and they have enjoyed a long
history of friendly interactions. We believe that your visit will
play an active role in promoting the bilateral relations. So the
Prime Minister, please elaborate on the current situation and
future development of Sino-India relations. And as the largest
two developing countries in the world, what role should India
(and China) play in the setting up of a new world order?
PM: India
and China are neighbours bound by centuries-old ties of civilization,
history, religion, culture and economic interaction. Particularly
in the last few years our two countries have developed a wide
canvas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
In recent years,
our two countries have launched a process of diversification of
bilateral relations. Our dialogue now addresses not only the various
areas in which we can improve bilateral cooperation, but also
international issues such as terrorism, security, environment,
sustainable development and multilateral economic regimes. Our
trade relations are developing in a healthy manner. Exchanges
are growing in culture, education, science & technology, media
and tourism. It is a sign of the maturity of our two ancient civilizations
that we are successfully pursuing the path of fruitful cooperation,
even while simultaneously addressing our differences.
But I must say that
for two countries of our sizes, populations, human resources and
economic strengths, these are still only the first few steps on
a long and promising path. We need to do much more to fulfil the
true potential of our partnership – in promoting equitable economic
growth within our countries, in the search for a multi-polar world
order, in fashioning pragmatic responses to the challenges of
globalisation, and in countering the threat to our societies from
terrorism and violence.
PD: It is
very important to restore and strengthen close exchanges between
the two countries in such areas as trade, culture, tourism, sports
etc, which could lead to the further development of the bilateral
relations. What specifically, in your view, the two governments
should do in these areas to improve and strengthen such exchanges?
PM: As I
have just said, our bilateral relations have developed and diversified.
The areas that you have mentioned namely trade, culture, tourism
and sports are all sectors where useful progress has taken place
over recent years. I expect that in my discussions with the Chinese
leadership, we will confirm the need to further expand and intensify
relations between our two countries in these and a number of new
sectors. I believe there is a mutual desire for this.
PD: We know
that you visited China as India Foreign Minister in 1979. As for
this visit, what impresses you most about China? Is China in your
eyes follows the image in your mind before your visit?
PM: China
has moved ahead in every possible way since my visit as Foreign
Minister in 1979. In fact I think there have been a major transformation
even since my last visit to China as member of an Indian Parliamentary
delegation in 1993. I am greatly looking forward to the opportunity
of witnessing for myself the rapid economic development and significant
technological successes which the Chinese people have achieved,
particularly in the last two decades. Your remarkable achievements
have many lessons for India.
PD: You expressed
the willingness to restore peace talks with Pakistan in April.
And till now both countries have taken measures to ease the tension.
What’s your prospect on your peace effort? What is India’s evaluation
towards the Subcontinent’s future development?
PM: I have
frequently expressed our commitment to a relationship of peace,
friendship and cooperation with Pakistan. It was that commitment
that took me on a bus trip to Lahore in February 1999, and which
prompted me to invite President Musharraf to Agra in July 2001
inspite of the vitiated atmosphere caused by our military conflict
in Kargil. Good relations between India and Pakistan are dictated
by geography and economics. We have much to benefit by directing
our national energies to economic development in peaceful coexistence,
rather than to mindless confrontation.
I hope my political
initiative will inspire action to end cross border terrorism and
to dismantle the infrastructure of support to it. Naturally, this
is a requirement to create a conducive atmosphere for a sustained
dialogue.
PD: We noticed
that India has been working hard to strengthen regional cooperation,
which is also a trend in world development. Now India is taking
efforts to establish India-ASEAN Free Trade Zone, and also to
promote economic cooperation within South Asia. What in your view,
such efforts will bring on India’s future development?
PM: India's
efforts at promoting regional cooperation in South Asia are not
new. We are now discussing an India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement,
as well as an FTA among Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka
and Thailand under BIMST-EC. Bilaterally, we already have special
trading arrangements with Bhutan and Nepal, and an FTA with Sri
Lanka. I have little doubt that regional economic integration
in South Asia will bring enormous benefits to our people, as there
is substantial complementarity among our economies. Freer access
to the large Indian market should be particularly beneficial to
our South Asian and Southeast Asian neighbours. The India-ASEAN
FTA will create a large market of 1.5 billion people, with a combined
present GDP of US$ 1.2 trillion, and will cover investment, and
services, in addition to trade in goods. It will promote economies
of scale, and greater specialization in economic activity. In
order to reap full benefits from the FTA, our businesses would
need to be adaptable and flexible. We will also need to greatly
strengthen transport and communications linkages between India
and South East Asia.
