Making A Difference

''We Will Hike Defence Expenditure''

External Affairs Minister <b>Pranab Mukherjee</b> spoke to <b>Sunil Narula</b> on the Congress party's foreign policy. Excerpts:

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''We Will Hike Defence Expenditure''
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How do you rate your party's performance on the foreign policy front?

During the last five years we have made a conscious effort to build close relations with our neighbours, operationalised SAPTA, staked our claim for permanent membership of the Security Council, and actively engaged in all major international negotiations. Recently, I concluded two important treaties with Nepal and Bhutan.

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But with Pakistan we have not been able to make much headway. Relations with Pakistan have to be improved and I hope after the elections there will be another initiative so that issues can be resolved through dialogue.

With regard to China, we have been able to improve our relations substantially, particularly after the visit of our Prime Minister and signing of the agreement on peace and tranquility in the border areas. The border trade which was suspended in 1959 has resumed. We have resumed border trade with Myanmar also. Besides, cooperation with the Myanmar government to tackle the problem of the northeast insurgent groups has been effective.

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Last year when you gave the Jawaharlal Nehru award to Aung San Suu Kyi, there was a setback.

I wouldn't say there was a setback. They recognise our policies, we do not interfere in the internal matters of any country. It was made quite clear that this is not interference in their internal politics, but it is just a recognition of one individual for her contribution to peace and humanity.

We have been able to improve our relations with Russia. At one point there was doubt whether the special relationship we had with them would continue. The bilateral visits of leaders—Rao, Yeltsin and Primakov recently—clearly demonstrate the solid foundation of our relations.

Our relationship with the US has also improved. When I say so I keep at the back of my mind certain developments like providing arms to Pakistan by amending the Pressler Amendment. Despite that there has been a substantial improvement. The US has emerged as the single largest trading partner of India and in the last four years bilateral trade has increased from $5 billion to $9 billion.

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Does it mean there hasn't been any failure in your foreign policy?

Foreign policy is a continuing process. It is not like a shopping list that you buy something and do not buy something. It is also not like a competition. We have to build relationships by keeping the long-term and medium-term interests in view.

Talks on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) are at an advanced stage. What is the Congress position?

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We are constructively engaged in the negotiations. Therefore, I can't say what will be the outcome. Now CTBT cannot be an end in itself. It must lead to nuclear disarmament and there should be some linkage with it. The details have to be worked out through talks. It is too premature to comment.

What do you feel about China's arms and technology supply to Pakistan?

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Pakistan is on a buying spree from every arms market. We cannot just compete with them. But we are aware that acquisition of arms by Pakistan seriously enhances our threat perception. Over the last four-and-a-half decades, our experience has been that if any shot was fired from Pakistan, it was directed only against India. We are concerned about it and we have to gear up our defence preparedness.

An increased defence preparedness means more defence expenditure?

Of course, it will have to be stepped up. Without expenditure, how can we be up to the mark.

The US is opposed to India's entry into the Security Council.

We will not like to disclose all the support we are getting. So far as the permanent membership is concerned, no consensus is emerging about the expansion. So if someone points out, 'you missed the train', which did not appear on the platform, what can I say?

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