Dressed nattily in kurta-pyjama and waistcoat, and readily agreeing to pose for the camera, Union minister for external affairs
lacks the inhibition and self-consciousness typical of those inducted into the Union cabinet for the first time. A surprise choice to fashion India's foreign policy for the next five years, the suave and urbane minister spoke to
on a range of issues with the elan of a man born to diplomacy. His furious pace of work over the next few weeks, as he noted with some regret, will deprive him of a chance to visit Wimbledon to watch the tennis matches there later this month. Excerpts:
What will it take for the India-Pakistan dialogue to restart?
So, what kind of signal are we looking for before restarting the dialogue?
Does India still regard Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism?
And so far, there's nothing to prove otherwise?
Pakistan has witnessed a number of terrorist attacks and has taken several steps to fight terrorism. Given this, can India push Pakistan to take action against those involved in the Mumbai attacks?
But are there encouraging signs to make India think that Pakistan is doing something about terror?
The Pakistani government has been taking steps to fight terrorists in some parts of its country. But if it fails to take action against those responsible for Mumbai, can India convince the world about the lack of sincerity on Islamabad's part to fight terror?
Following Pakistani action in Swat, there's a perception that it's serious about dismantling the terror structure. Since that is India's demand too, are you satisfied with their action?
Do we think Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism?
President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan no longer considers India as its main threat. Does India also think that Pakistan is not a threat to it?
Have the Americans ever asked us to restart the dialogue with Pakistan? You met US under-secretary of state William Burns as well...
Do we see the recent attacks against Indian students in Australia as racist?
The military campaign in Sri Lanka is now over. How can India now ensure that the Sri Lankan government remains committed to taking urgent steps to address the aspirations of the Tamil minority in the island?
Some feel that Indo-US relations now will not enjoy the same importance as they did under the George Bush presidency...
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due to come here next month. What's expected from the visit?
