NEW DELHI, JULY 31 – While commending his Government’s “look ahead” policy in foreign affairs, the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today said that his recent visits to China, Russia, Germany and France showed India’s growing importance in the international arena.
Replying to a 90-minute discussion in the Rajya Sabha on his last week’s statement on his four-nation tour, he said India’s importance in global affairs was being realised by everyone. “We have to look to the future, take inspiration from history but do not have to get lost in its labyrinthine structure,” he cautioned.
Referring to his China visit and specifically to recent reports of a Chinese incursion in Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Vajpayee admitted that there were differences between the two countries on boundary demarcation. “The behaviour of Chinese authorities with the Indian patrol in Arunachal Pradesh was not dignified and in keeping with the agreements between us. Everyone is of the view that India and China should work together.”
On Tibet, Mr. Vajpayee said India’s known position was reiterated and took a dig at some members who sought to rake up a debate on it. “Tibet is a large region and there is an autonomous part within it but I do not want to go in a debate on it.”
The Prime Minister was at his oratorial best while replying to references by senior Congress member, K. Natwar Singh, on what he had said on China as an Opposition leader and as Foreign Minister. “Mr. Natwar Singh had in fact sent me a congratulatory letter. I had visited China even before the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and had stressed on keeping peace and tranquility between the two countries. Rajiv Gandhi repeated it,” he said.
“Times have changed. Earlier, as an Opposition leader, I used to give expression to public sentiments and colour them as well but now I keep them in mind and see them in nationalist colours,” Mr. Vajpayee said.
Alluding to the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia and India, Mr. Vajpayee said it was taken note of by the international community. “There was no conspiracy. There have been suggestions of a possible China-India-Russia axis.”
Pointing out that the international situation was undergoing a change, he favoured a cautious approach in forging bonds of friendship with Pakistan. “We went to Lahore in a hurry and had to face Kargil,” he quipped but added that friendship with Pakistan was necessary. But friendly ties with Pakistan would not mean that India should compromise with the menace of terrorism. “We will have to crush terrorism and stamp it out.” Winding up his reply, Mr. Vajpayee said India and China were cooperating on several fronts, including support to the World Trade Organisation. “There is enormous potential for expanding trade relations with China.”
Earlier, intervening in the discussion, the External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, described Mr. Vajpayee as a man of peace who was respected in the international fora as the one who was genuinely interested in it. “Let us not indulge in credit-taking and blame game. The fact is that Prime Minister’s China visit came after a decade and it produced results that can be described as landmark and path-breaking.”
On the Arunachal Pradesh incident, he said such sporadic incidents did take place and it could not have been “pre-meditated”. While stating that Sikkim and Tibet could not be linked, he said that the issue of Tibet was to be settled between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government.
Opening the discussion, Natwar Singh (Cong.) sought clarifications as to why Sikkim was not put in the joint declaration and raised the issue of Arunachal Pradesh.
