PM’S INTERVEIEW TO THAI DAILY - MATICHON

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Following is the full text of the interview given by the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the Thai daily - Matichon, today:

17. After 9/11 the world has changed a lot. How did it affect India’s foreign policy? Do you agree with the on-going war on terrorism?

The horrific terrorist acts of 9/11 aroused the consciousness of the world to the global menace of terrorism. They showed that distance and power provide no immunity or security from the depredations of terrorism. As a victim for over two decades, India has always proactively supported international efforts in the fight against terrorism.

We believe there can be no justification for terrorism on any grounds – religious, political, economic, ideological or any other. Democratic societies are the most vulnerable, since terrorism exploits the freedom of speech, expression, faith and movement available in these countries. The effort against terrorism has, therefore, to be global and comprehensive; all democratic countries should join wholeheartedly in it. It is with this conviction that India joined the international coalition against terrorism.

India has been arguing that some of the members of the coalition are themselves part of the problem. We cannot overlook this, or apply double standards to terrorist act depending on where they occur, or who perpetrates them. Instead of getting diverted by futile debates on the definition of terrorism or on its root causes, we should focus on choking off all sources of support – sustenance, arms, training or finances for terrorism.

Many countries share these perspectives, but immediate political considerations sometimes discourage firm and unequivocal actions against some perpetrators or accomplices of terrorism.

17. Why did India choose not to send troops to Iraq?

India had been consistently calling for a resolution of the Iraq issue without military conflict. We were very disappointed that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council could not reach agreement on the means of its resolution, though they shared the same objective of keeping Iraq free of weapons of mass destruction. Now that the conflict is over, it is futile to go into the rights and wrongs of the situation.

The situation in Iraq now is very complex. There is an urgent need for the United Nations to assume a central role in the humanitarian efforts, in the economic rebuilding of the country, and in promoting the political process of handing over sovereignty to the people of Iraq. We hope that the on-going discussions in the United Nations on all these aspects would reach an early and satisfactory conclusion.

To your question about the possibility of Indian troops in Iraq, I can only say that this would depend on all the factors I have mentioned, as well as our own domestic security considerations.

17. How can you describe the relationship between India and Pakistan right now?

The process of normalisation of diplomatic and other links with Pakistan, which was set in motion by my peace initiative in April this year, has made some progress. Diplomatic relations have been restored to the level of High Commissioners. We have recently proposed to Pakistan that we could reciprocally increase the staff strength of the respective High Commissions. The Delhi-Lahore passenger bus service has resumed and is running to its full capacity.

There have been important exchanges in business, culture and people-to-people contacts, including exchange of Parliamentarians from both sides. Our decision to provide free medical treatment to 20 Pakistani children at our cost was well received both here and in Pakistan. Eleven children have already benefited from this facility.

This is not to overlook the political differences between the two countries, which would naturally need to be addressed through bilateral dialogue. At the same time, it is logical that difficult issues can be more effectively addressed in an atmosphere of understanding and cooperation. But the crucial point is that we will not negotiate with terrorism or its sponsors. Until the sponsorship of terrorism of terrorism from across our borders stops, we cannot have a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan.

India’s nuclear policy is firmly predicated on the principle of no first use policy. Our nuclear weapons are meant to deter irresponsible military adventurism; not to fight a nuclear war.

The danger South Asia today is not so much of a nuclear war, as of the disruption of peace and security by unabated cross-border terrorism.

17. Thailand and India have good relations since the past. What is the kind of cooperation that can make it better?

India’s ties with Thailand are deep rooted. Over the years, both countries have cooperated with each other in various fields. However there is still a large untapped potential. We are focussing on measures that can enhance our political, economic and cultural cooperation, both bilateral and multilateral.

India’s expertise and capabilities in Information Technology, biotechnology, space technologies, biomedicine, and other cutting edge areas are well known. Thailand and India have bilateral agreements on cooperation in scientific research, industrial applications, civilian applications of nuclear energy and space technologies, and Information technology. We are striving to further strengthen our collaboration in these areas.

India and Thailand are both agricultural countries with a broad biodiversity. Agricultural science and technology offer many areas of cooperation.

Both countries can gain from exchanges of scientists and experts for research and development. India provides scholarships for short-term in-service training in various areas of science and technology, IT, electronics, industrial techniques and agricultural practices. Professionals from Thailand can avail of these facilities. India also collaborates with, and provides assistance to, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok through regular short-term deputation of Professors from engineering institutions in India.

17. As the first foreign leader in many years who would be giving a speech at the Thai Parliament, what will be your message to the Thai people?

Ans. I send my hearty felicitations to the people of Thailand ahead of my visit to this beautiful country next week. I am delighted that I shall be visiting a country with which India has enjoyed extremely close and cordial relations throughout history. Our ties are rooted in a shared cultural and spiritual heritage, enriched by the legends of Ramayana and the immortal teachings of the Buddha. In modern times, these have acquired new facets with steadily expanding interaction and cooperation in the fields of trade, industry, science and technology. This cooperation has assumed a new dimension with India becoming a summit partner of ASEAN, of which Thailand is a founder member.

The people of India are full of admiration for Thailand’s accomplishments in both traditional and hi-tech areas of the economy. We especially marvel at Thailand’s success in promoting tourism, while retaining its unique cultural personality. I am convinced that deepening and broadening all-sided relations between India and Thailand will not only be mutually beneficial, but also serve as a factor for prosperity, stability and peace in Asia.