WARMTH: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington on Monday. — PHOTO: PTI

WASHINGTON: Although there have been several positive developments in the relations with Pakistan over the last 18 months, including the November 2003 ceasefire holding and the composite dialogue entering the second round, it cannot be said for sure that the peace process is "entrenched," according to Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

"The infrastructure for terrorism in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled territory remains. We do not hear of operations like the ones being conducted by Pakistan in cooperation with the U.S. against the war on terrorism at its western frontiers towards its eastern borders with India. More importantly, from the point of view of our strategic interests, trade and transit with and through Pakistan remains highly circumscribed. It is only when India and Pakistan resume direct, bilateral trade and transit that there will be a vested interest in peace in both countries," Mr. Mukherjee said. He was speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Mr. Mukherjee, who is on an official visit to the U.S., outlined India's security and strategic challenges, including the country's role in South Asia and beyond. He stressed that India was "not inclined to export ideologies, even ideologies it believes in and follows. India would rather promote democracy in the region by precept and example."

Speaking of the "security deficit" that the 21st century India faces, Mr. Mukherjee argued that the country was in a "dangerous" neighbourhood. "Few other countries in the world face the full spectrum of threats to their security as India does, from low intensity conflicts to an unfriendly nuclearised neighbourhood. Our response to such an environment has been anything but militaristic."

India was located in the "arc" of fundamentalist activism, terrorism and political instability between North and East Africa and South-East Asia. Mr. Mukherjee reminded the audience that the Bombay blasts of 1992 were "arguably the original act of mass terrorism, eerily similar in modus operandi and targets to 9/11 in its synchronised, serial character and targeting of the State and economic symbols."

As for the other security deficits faced by India, he spoke of the aggression and conflicts faced by the country since Independence; the proxy wars from across the borders by way of terrorism; and an unfavourable nuclear and missile environment. Also, India had to contend with instability and failing States in the neighbourhood that provided the breeding ground for terrorists and other non-state actors.

The Defence Minister said in the realm of economic deficits, India faced impediments of access to materials and components in the area of nuclear energy and called on Washington to ease controls. "Restrictions against India's nuclear energy programme are anachronistic. The U.S. and India have now commenced a dialogue through the NSSP and the energy dialogue to address some of these restrictions. Their easing will impact favourably on our economic prospects over the next 2-3 decades," he said.

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