Pranab Speak

Karan Thapar: Mr Mukherjee, let’s start with the ChinesePresident’s visit to India, which has just been concluded. The jointdeclaration says, "International civilian nuclear cooperation should beadvanced through innovative and forward-looking approaches while safeguardingthe effectiveness of international non-proliferation principles." Do youinterpret that as an endorsement of the Indo-US nuclear deal?

Pranab Mukherjee: No. After all we are also for non-proliferation. Atthe same time, what is being done with India, especially with regard to theIndo-US nuclear deal, they are giving a special treatment to India because ofIndia’s track record related to non-proliferation.

Karan Thapar: So, you’re saying that China has not endorsed it?

Pranab Mukherjee: No. China has endorsed it. I am just explaining the‘innovative’ word.

Karan Thapar: So, when officials of your ministry have given anassessment to The Hindu, as they did on Friday, to say that China will not comein the way of any decisions of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to lift restrictionson international civilian nuclear cooperation with India," you agree with thatagreement?

Pranab Mukherjee: I hope so.

Karan Thapar: When you say hope so, is there some doubt? Is there someuncertainty?

Pranab Mukherjee: No. There is no uncertainty. I hope that they willnot come in the way.

Karan Thapar: So you’re confident that China will not come in theway?

Pranab Mukherjee: Why are you playing with words? In diplomacy, wedon't play with words. What we say is we wait till the official outcome comes.

Karan Thapar: But you are confident?

Pranab Mukherjee: I am confident.

Karan Thapar: There is a lot of speculation that China might end upoffering a similar nuclear deal to Pakistan. So far in the newspapers, there isno mention of it. But if it were to have been offered quietly and not madepublic, would you be concerned?

Pranab Mukherjee: We shall have to recognise the fact that differentcountries have different relationships with different countries, keeping in viewtheir own perspectives. Relationship of one country need not stand in therelationship of the other country. Therefore, we shall have to keep that factalways in view while assessing the relationship between two countries.

Karan Thapar: Very interesting. Most people will interpret that tomean that if China does give Pakistan a nuclear deal similar to the Indo-USnuclear deal, India will have no objection?

Pranab Mukherjee: It's not a question of my objection ornon-objection. It's a question of what happens in the ground reality. Therefore,we shall have to keep in view… For instance, Pakistan is being supplied withsophisticated weapons by the USA over a long period.