archive: A chance to shed preoccupations of the past: Jaswant (Question
A chance to shed preoccupations of the past: Jaswant (Question
C. Raja Mohan
The Hindu
July 25, 1999
Title: A chance to shed preoccupations of the past: Jaswant (Question
and Answer with Jaswant Singh)
Author: C. Raja Mohan
Publication: The Hindu
Date: July 25, 1999
On the eve of his departure for the annual meetings of the ASEAN
Regional Forum in Singapore, the External Affairs Minister, Mr.
Jaswant Singh, spoke to The Hindu. The following are excerpts from
the interview.
Q: The Kargil Issue is expected to figure at the ARF. What will be
the main thrust of your presentation on Kargil at Singapore?
A: In the management of the military and diplomatic aspects of the
Kargil crisis until now we have taken every opportunity to candidly
and forthrightly put across our view-point to as wide a variety of the
members of the international community as possible.
The upcoming meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Singapore is yet
another opportunity to highlight India's view point and concerns.
Ahead of us are many issues in relation to Kargil that need to be
addressed, including the completion of the Pakistani withdrawal,
tidying up of the military situation in a few pockets, and getting
Pakistan to reaffirm the validity and inviolability of the Line of
Control.
India will also reemphasis the question of cross- border terrorism -
the incitement and abetment of terrorism within India by Pakistan and
how this is a violation of all previous Indo-Pakistan agreements.
We will take this opportunity to communicate to this very important
gathering that we remain committed to the Lahore process and the
earliest possible resumption of the dialogue with Pakistan.
Q: How do you propose to consolidate at Singapore the diplomatic gains
from the Kargil episode?
A: The understanding shown by the international community and the
support extended to India's position is principally a recognition of
the justness of India's cause. This has been a matter of satisfaction
for us and we are grateful for that support; but I do not treat this
international support as a crutch.
India has an opportunity now to move away from some of the
preoccupations of yesteryears and to acquire for itself the rightful
position in the comity of nations.
Q: How do you assess the U.S. policy towards Kargil and the upcoming
meeting with Ms. Madeleine Albright, U.S. Secretary of State?
A: I greatly look forward to the meeting with Ms. Madeleine Albright
and the exchange of views we will have. The understanding that the
Clinton Administration has shown of the Indian position in the Kargil
episode has decidedly been a significant initiative by the U.S. in
South Asia.
It is both a recognition of the correctness of India's case and the
folly of Pakistan's misadventure. It is a recognition, too, of the
altering geostrategic contours in the region. It is therefore an
opportunity for India and the U.S. States to reassess the situation,
re-examine their respective positions, and to attempt to build a more
productive, bilaterally more useful relationship based on an
understanding and respect for each other's viewpoints on a wide
variety of issues.
Q: Has the consistent U.S. support for India in the Kargil crisis
changed the context for thinking about the future of Indo-U.S.
relations?
A: I do think it has. But we need to go down this path with care and
circumspection. The legacies of the past continue to occupy space in
our thinking. I do believe that, if properly handled, there is a
great future for this relationship between two of the largest
democracies in the world.
Q: What does India expect from the relation-ship with the U.S.?
A: India expects the shedding of the prejudices of the past. It also
expects the recognition of its true standing of the Indian State as it
has evolved. Besides it is only the legacy of the U.S. positions in
this region - a legacy that impinged on India's security interests -
that until now has clouded our relationship. As two sovereign and
equal nations we need to address this afresh.
Q: How do you look at India's relations with China?
A: China is our largest neighbour; it is a great and ancient
civilisation. I have no doubt in my mind that we can address our
mutual concerns with maturity and an eye on the future. The geography
of our contiguity with each other will not alter. This, we have to
not simply recognise, but to use as an asset not a liability.
For this the proposed security dialogue, as also the agreement to
address the issue of Line of Actual Control and its clarification are
significant steps forward. I hope to pursue these further with the
distinguished Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, in
Singapore.
Q: The U.S. and China are dominant powers in Asia; are India's
relations with them a zero sum game?
A: I don't see it as a zero sum game at all. The centrality of India
in Asia can simply not be wished away. Besides India has to conduct
relations with the U.S., China, and Russia as equals; but not as
impinging on ties with an-other.
Q: Is India looking for new alignments in Asia?
A: Of course not. We are in the game of either reinvesting or indeed
working another round of cold war division of the world into competing
blocs, as it were; that era is over. India the great powers much more
purposefully and productively than we have been until now.
Q: On the problematic relationship with Japan?
A: I would not describe it as problematic. I have often said that of
all nations on earth, it is Japanese sensibilities about weapons of
mass destruction that I respect greatly. Japan has after all been the
only nation that has been the victim of the use of nuclear weapons.
Having said that, I must nevertheless voice a certain degree of
disappointment that a reciprocal understanding of India's security
imperatives has not been so forthcoming from Japan. This after all is
an area, which then must be addressed. The only manner in which it
can be done is by way of a dialogue and discussion. I hope to be able
to continue this process when I meet the Japanese Foreign Minister,
Mr. Masahiko Komura, in Singapore.
Q: India had announced a "Look East" policy in the early 1990s; but it
appears to have lost momentum. Would you try and rejuvenate the
policy towards our South East Asian neighbours?
A: I would very much like to. I had planned a number of bilateral
visits to South East Asian nations before the ARF meeting.
Unfortunately the Kargil crisis necessitated a postponement of the
meetings. As South East Asia embarks on the path of economic
recovery, and the Indian economy gains momentum, we hope to revitalise
India's ties to the region.
Q: Looking beyond Kargil, how do you look at the problems of Asian
security?
A: The ARF is the forum to discuss Asian security issues. There are
many unresolved territorial disputes left over from the colonial era.
Non-transgression upon the territory of an-other and not attempting to
change borders by force must be key principles of any security order
in Asia. If these aspects receive larger attention and acceptance in
Asia, I think, we will be taking a very significant step forward.
Non-aggression is particularly incumbent upon those nations that
possess nuclear weapons. After all Asia now has four countries with
nuclear weapons. It may be useful for the region to think in terms of
enunciating this broad principle.
Q: What kind of role do you envisage for India in strengthening Asian
security?
A: The international community is beginning to recognise that India is
an important factor for stability, progress and peace - not just in
the Subcontinent - but the larger context of Asia. This assessment is
based on the proven democratic values of India and its giant economic
potential. Most important, India is not the exporter of any
destabilising ideology. Therefore a politically stable and
economically thriving India has the potential to emerge as the fulcrum
of Asia.
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