The Hindu : Front Page : No redrawing of boundaries: Manmohan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 22, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

No redrawing of boundaries: Manmohan

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 21. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today informed Parliament that he had told the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, that "while we are willing to look at various options [for a negotiated settlement of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir], we will not agree to any redrawing of boundaries, or another partition of the country."

Making a statement in both Houses on foreign policy-related issues, Dr. Singh spelt out his Government's approach to foreign policy: "Our objective is to focus on the centrality of national interests in the conduct of our external relations and the pursuit of our economic interests. We have taken important initiatives, keeping in mind the imperative of retaining our freedom of options, remaining alive to our concerns."

The Prime Minister was giving a brief overview of his visits to London, New York, The Hague and Vientiane as well of his discussions with leaders from Russia, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Myanmar among others.

Dr. Singh said he had emphasised to the Prime Minister of Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, that "our traditional policy of support for multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy are the twin pillars of the Nepalese Constitution." Similarly, he told Senior General Than Shwe of Myanmar that "while India did not wish to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs, we would welcome [the] early realisation of the goal of multi-party democracy based on national reconciliation and an inclusive approach."

No ambiguity on U.N. Security Council seat

Later, replying to clarifications posed by the former External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, in the Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister said there was no ambiguity or confusion over India's candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. "Our fundamental position is clear. There should be no distinction in the Security Council between existing members and new members.'' At the same time, he appealed to members not to prejudge the issue since it was not clear what the recommendations on U.N. reforms would be and what would be the eventual reforms package. India was in touch with all the countries over the matter.

Dr. Singh clarified that there was no ambiguity about India's nuclear policy either. "India is a nuclear weapon state and is a responsible nuclear power. That sums up our view. At the same time, we are a country with a civilisational heritage for complete nuclear disarmament. We will join hands with other countries to promote complete disarmament on a non-discriminatory basis globally.''

On supply of nuclear fuel from Russia, he said Russia had undertaken to fulfil all contractual obligations. Discussions were under way on additional supplies and "a satisfactory solution will be found,'' he assured members.

Referring to the proposed sale of American arms to Pakistan, the Prime Minister said India's concerns were conveyed to the U.S. Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld, when he visited the country earlier this month.

Dr. Singh did not share Mr. Sinha's view that the Government had diluted the emphasis on curbing cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. "We did lay emphasis on the centrality and criticality of Pakistan curbing terrorism. Other confidence-building measures will not work if the situation on the ground is out of control.'' He recalled his first news conference after the U.N. General Assembly where he had said the whole exercise to build ties with Pakistan could take off only if Pakistan remained committed to the January 6 agreement on curbing cross-border terrorism.

India had not finalised plans to import gas from Iran via Pakistan and said several options for receiving gas through pipelines were being explored, he said. New Delhi discussed the issue of anti-India insurgent groups based in Myanmar with Senior General Than Shwe and received a positive assurance from him. "The information available with me shows that Myanmar was honouring its commitment.''

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

No redrawing of boundaries: Manmohan

22 killed in attack on U.S. army base in Iraq

Lalu Prasad cancels rally

Army officer dismissed

Ravi Subramaniam secured: police

Bail for Avnish Bajaj

BrahMos-II bang on target

Collision averted

25 killed in road accident

BCCI backs Harbhajan