Author:
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: May 10, 2003
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/archive_full_story.php?content_id=23562
Replying to a two-hour discussion
on Indo-Pak ties in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee
made it clear that he would not let the fear of failure stymie the latest
peace initiative. The following is the full text of his speech:
A.B. Vajpayee: Mr Speaker, I wish
to thank all honourable members who have taken part in this discussion.
There are some issues on which this House gets together to take a common
stand. Our relations with Pakistan and the questions on these relations
is one such issue.
There are differences of opinion
but the ultimate goal, despite these differences, has to be reached and
we all work together towards that end. The ultimate goal is India's victory,
India's pride, India's fame and India's unity.
A lot of old issues have been raked
up in this discussion. Starting with Lahore the story went on. That I should
be blamed for Lahore is not acceptable to me. As a friend and as a neighbour
we have to live with our neighbours no matter how we get along.
If there is an opportunity to improve
relations we should not lose the chance. Our development is linked to internal
and external peace. We do not wish to acquire huge stocks of weapons for
war or put to great use the country's resources. But when there is a threat
to freedom, when integrity is in danger, then it's time to turn to all
possible means to defend the country.
I have told my friends in Pakistan
many times that we can change friends, but we can never change neighbours.
Neither can you go anywhere nor can we get up and go elsewhere. We have
to live here. One way is to live as friendly neighbours and the other way
is to constantly fight each other and give the world a chance to mock at
us, not understand the feelings of our people and tread on wrong paths.
That is why you should always have
friendly relations with your neighbour to the extent possible. That is
why I went to Lahore. It is wrong to say that there was not adequate preparation
before I went to Lahore. Even before I went to Agra, it was said not adequate
preparation had been done. What does this mean? Governments go on, the
structure of governance is in place. The Foreign Ministry did not change
because I came on the scene. I think my friends will agree that our policy
experts who are clever always fault our officials. But the Foreign Ministry
shelters those from the foreign office. We'd made adequate preparations
but then the issue of Kargil cropped up. There was an internal fight there
between the Government and the Army Chief. The declaration made by the
two countries after the Lahore accord stated that we will hold talks in
peace, solve problems and there was agreement on this.
That declaration made no mention
of Kashmir because the conclusion of the discussion between the two countries
was that the problem in Kashmir was complex and should not be discussed.
It would be better if we turn to other issues, solve them and go ahead.
Mani Shankar Aiyar: I have got the
Lahore Declaration. It says, ''...have agreed that their respective governments
shall intensify their efforts...''.
Speaker: I can permit you to put
questions after the Prime Minister completes. Now you may please sit down.
Mani Shankar Aiyar: ''...at resolving
all issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.'' You are saying there's
no mention of Kashmir. This is before you.
A.B. Vajpayee: Mr Speaker, I am
aware of the mention that is made. You can also see the form in which it
is there. Unlike Agra, Kashmir was not made the main issue in Lahore. It
has been made now.
Mani Shankar Aiyar: It's the first
issue, you had signed on it.
Speaker: Let him complete the reply.
A.B. Vajpayee: I am giving you an
account of whatever has been discussed. When General Musharraf came to
Agra and held discussions, he went all out to try and get his view on Kashmir
accepted. Now it has been spread that even this did not happen. General
Musharraf had to return empty-handed from Agra.
I am being blamed for making a blunder,
for not preparing enough. If adequate preparations had not been made, then
we wouldn't have been able to successfully stand up to Pakistan's attack
on Kargil. We did not allow Pakistan's plans to succeed. Such is the internal
strife in their country that their Prime Minister had to tender his resignation.
They couldn't work together.
I am saying this only to make the
point that whatever efforts are being made are being done with good intentions.
At times, these succeed, at times, these fail. Ceasefire was called many
times. There was a general opinion that the two neighbours should live
as friends, and that a friendly atmosphere should prevail in Jammu and
Kashmir. But this wish could not be fulfilled. There were differences among
terrorists and they broke up into different groups. What is their condition
now? I don't want to go into the details. It is now being said that I had
said that there would be no talks until cross-border terrorism ends. Yes,
I said that, because I want cross-border terrorism to end. That's our goal.
To attain that goal we decided to work, and we worked so well that the
entire world, barring a few countries, said cross-border terrorism has
to end. We succeeded in taking global opinion on our side. We don't want
that someone else should fight the war against terrorism. But we have got
an opportunity to come to a pact. A way has been found. The elections in
Kashmir are over. To my mind this is such a big event that a right assessment
should be made.
Mrs Sonia Gandhi did not even refer
to the elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The polls in J&K is a big change,
a new chapter. People braved bullets to cast votes. All efforts of Pakistan
were foiled. I saw huge crowds in Kashmir the other day. I've been to Kashmir
before and I've seen different sorts of welcomes.
But the meeting in Jammu and Kashmir
after the elections when Mufti Saheb gave support, we welcomed it. The
scene at that meeting must have stunned the neighbour. Even if it didn't
stun them, in our hearts it created an enthusiasm. We are here because
of these people and these people are with us. The poison of communalism
will not work, people want to live in peace. So many people died in the
elections, so many were injured, if you were to make a count you'll realise
that the people of Jammu and Kashmir made a huge sacrifice by endangering
their lives.
That day, I realised that it is
time to take a new step. At the same time, an international incident took
place and I don't want to go into its details. But the manner in which
Iraq was attacked, the United Nations left ineffective and neutral, it
struck me that it was time to think of the future of smaller countries,
developing countries, and non-aligned countries. I consider this a change
of direction. The American attack on Iraq and the victory of the people
in Jammu and Kashmir may appear to be separate incidents but these are
linked...(interruption)
Avtar Singh Bhadana: The BJP was
defeated in this...(interruption)
A.B. Vajpayee: We are not discussing
victory or defeats here. We are always prepared to lose. Because we lose,
we are sitting here and you've ended up there...(interruption)
Avtar Singh Bhadana: There was a
time when we used to sit there and you here. We will again make it there.
A.B. Vajpayee: It doesn't matter.
I don't want to get into this. Mr Speaker, I realised that day that I needed
to start a new chapter. We can go on repeating like you wanted to know
whether terrorism has stopped. If I say terrorism has come down, then you
will say reduction means nothing, it has to stop totally. Terrorists too
are divided. There's politics even amongst them. It will be a serious matter
if all terrorists were to emerge from one source. But the reality is different.
We even got signals that things are changing and the people of Jammu and
Kashmir have given a fractured verdict. We said this is the time to extend
a hand of friendship, provided Pakistan abandons cross-border terrorism
and dismantles the infra-structure in place there. The talks haven't begun
yet, only the preparatory exercises are being done. When Pakistan's Prime
Minister spoke to me over the telephone, he said let us decide on playing
a hockey match. I told him I know you play hockey very well, that you have
been a hockey captain yourself, that you used to select your own players.
I can understand why you are talking of hockey.
What I cannot understand, Mr Jamali,
is this - assuming that India and Pakistan are playing a hockey match before
huge crowds, and we get the news that terrorists have attacked Jammu and
killed over 50 innocent men, women and children. What sort of a match will
this be then? What will be the reaction to such a match? Whatever you and
I may think, can such a match foster friendship? That is why I said terrorism
has to stop. I do not want to repeat what he said. But he told me that
even his country is troubled by terrorism, a crime which they are battling
even there. He said let us battle terrorism together. After this, we thought
of interaction. I want to assure all honourable members who've sounded
a warning that we will definitely be alert.
Hum bhi doodh ke jale hain, chaach
ko phook phook kar piyenge (We've had our experience, and we'll be cautious).
It doesn't behove a great country like India to become immobile, not to
take any initiative, not to take any steps, and to sit with our hands tied.
Everyone knows our commitment to
peace. Pakistan's terrorism has got no support. Support lies with the people
of Jammu and Kashmir. The foreigners who went to witness the elections
in Jammu and Kashmir came to the conclusion that people had given their
verdict, peacefully at that, despite the bullets.
We should respect that. The world
will respect that. At least we should give it maximum importance. A new
chapter has begun. Come, let us get together and take it forward. Nobody
wants that Jammu and Kashmir should go. I don't understand how Soniaji
could say such a thing. Jammu and Kashmir will never go. Who's saying it
will go? Whoever says it will go, can that person live here? Nobody has
said such a thing. I don't know who...I don't want to get into this. It's
a fact that nobody can break Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has three
parts, separate divisions. They have been living together for generations.
If there is a new arrangement, even there they'll remain together.
Mulayam Singh Yadav: Please tell
us what will be the new arrangement. Are you echoing the old Sangh Parivar
and American view of splitting the State into Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu?
A.B. Vajpayee: What is he saying?
Mulayam Singh Yadav: Do you want
to divide the three in the new arrangement?
A.B. Vajpayee: Mulayam Singhji,
you never stop harping. Dr Lohia came up with the idea of a confederation.
The confederation didn't take place then, nor will it take place now.
Mulayam Singh Yadav: If there's
no confederation, there will never be any friendship. Take this down, I'm
saying this in the House.
A.B. Vajpayee: This is your view.
Our view is different. Despite our different views, you and I are still
friends.
Mulayam Singh Yadav: I am only welcoming
you, giving you support.
A.B. Vajpayee: Not just confederation,
across the world countries are getting together to form big unions.
Mulayam Singh Yadav: Now tell us
is this your last attempt or will this continue?
A.B. Vajpayee: Entire Europe is
becoming one. The erstwhile Communist countries too are joined.
Mulayam Singh Yadav: Is this your
last attempt or will this continue?
A.B. Vajpayee: This is the Dharm
Yug. Countries should not get divided or split. Everyone should get together
and work towards economic development. It is very important to have unity
for this.
Somnath Chatterjee: That's right.
Ramdas Athwale: We are with you.
A.B. Vajpayee: Even the comrade
is supporting me.
Somnath Chatterjee: Do you not want
my support?
Speaker: Ramdas Athwale is with
you. You don't need the support of others.
Somnath Chatterjee: As long as Athwale
remains with you, people will remain with you.
A.B. Vajpayee: Some more questions
were raised. Pakistan has been talking of de-nuclearisation. It wants to
de-nuclearise South Asia. This is not acceptable to us. Pakistan's atomic
programme is India specific. But ours is not Pakistan specific. Pakistan
is not our only concern. We have to look at the environment of countries
in the region. We've adopted a nuclear doctrine in which we have said no
first use. Pakistan has not made such a declaration. It has refused to
make such a declaration. Then what is the meaning of a no-war pact. Malhotraji
was right when he said there should be a no-proxy war pact. Mr Speaker,
more questions were raised. I don't want to go into their details but I
would like to say that the world today is plagued with problems and if
we don't decide to move in a definite direction, there will be problems.
To search for peace is no crime.
Whether we succeed or fail, it's a different matter. Who wants failure.
But because we may fail, we decide not to do anything is also wrong. A
large country like India cannot decide like this. Nor has independent India
ever taken such a decision. We never opposed the Simla Agreement. We didn't
oppose because we knew there was friendship there. But we opposed, because
despite the Simla Agreement, the problem of Jammu and Kashmir was not resolved.
There can be different views, there
can be differences, and these can be expressed. But when the world looks
at India, it expects us to speak in one voice, whatever differences we
may have should be sorted within. Mr Speaker, I would like to thank everyone
and hope that whatever consensus emerges will be carried forward. Thank
you.
