The Hindu : Front Page : India is not for sale, says Manmohan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 17, 2005

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India is not for sale, says Manmohan

No compromise on terrorism

FRANKFURT: Asserting that terrorism is a serious threat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday night said India will never make any compromise in dealing with it.

Speaking to journalists onboard his special aircraft en route to Washington, he recalled the recent terrorist strikes in India and the United Kingdom and said global terrorism had to be recognised as a serious threat.

India would never compromise nationally on terrorism and would work internationally to create a system of checks and balances against it.

He listed terrorism, discriminatory restrictions imposed by the U.S. against technology transfer to India, energy security and trade and investments among the issues for discussions with U.S. leaders.

Dr. Singh firmly rejected the Left parties' charge that his Government was making compromises with the country's economic sovereignty, asserting "nobody can sell India...India is not for sale."

``Preservation and protection of our nation's rights is my most important concern. As the bounden servant of the people of India, I will safeguard the nation's interests for the rest of my life."

Dr. Singh, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, will make an overnight halt here and reach Washington on Sunday evening.

Asked to comment on the charge by some Opposition parties, particularly the Left, that he was selling India cheap, he said: ``I think it is an insult to the party which I represent. The Congress party is the party which has produced the most outstanding leaders of our freedom struggle, who gave their lives to defend the dignity and honour of our nation."

Dr. Singh was received at the airport by senior India and German officials.

Other members of the delegation include Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chauhan, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair, Prime Minister's Media Adviser Sanjaya Baru told reporters here on Saturday.

In Washington, he will stay at the Blair House, opposite the White House, where guests of the President are put up during official visits.

On July 18, Dr. Singh will be accorded a ceremonial welcome in the morning at the White House after which he and U.S. President George W. Bush will hold talks. There will also be meetings between the two delegations.

Later, Dr. Singh and Mr Bush will jointly address the press. That evening, the Prime Minister will attend a banquet hosted by Mr Bush.

On July 19, Dr. Singh will address a joint session of the U.S. Congress. He is likely to spend most of the day on the Capitol Hill, meeting the India Caucus and other key figures. The Caucus and Indian Americans will host a luncheon for him on that day.

In the afternoon, he will meet senior U.S. officials and others at Blair House.

In the evening, the Prime Minister will be the chief guest at a reception hosted by Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen where prominent Non-Resident Indians and the official Indian delegation accompanying him will be present.

On July 20, Dr. Singh will address an end-of-visit press conference and will address a luncheon meeting at the prestigious National Press Club in Washington.

Meetings with think-tanks and editorial boards of major American newspapers as well as television interviews are being worked out. The Prime Minister is scheduled to leave Washington late on July 20 and reach New Delhi on July 22 after spending the previous night in Geneva. — UNI

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