Interviewer (Ms Nidhi Razdan): Well, as the country grapples with the aftermath of the terror strikes in Mumbai, tensions are rising between India and Pakistan. The question is, has the peace process been severely affected and could these tensions escalate further. Joining us on NDTV Tonight, the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee.
Mr. Mukherjee, thank you for speaking to us. Is the Mumbai attack in your opinion, a big setback to the peace process?
External Affairs Minister (Shri Pranab Mukherjee): It has vitiated the atmosphere, no doubt. First, in the attack on our Mission in Kabul, two of our diplomats and certain other staff, apart from a large number of innocent persons, including school-going children, were killed. Then this attack. Naturally it has vitiated the peace process. While we have no intention of not carrying on with peace process, but definitely when peoples’ sentiments are affected, it creates an atmosphere which is not conducive to carrying on business as usual, it has some impact. Therefore, these incidents, and if these are not adequately addressed by the other (Pakistani) side, create an atmosphere in which it becomes difficult to carry on normal business including the peace process.
Interviewer: Are you saying, Sir, that it is possible that India could rethink the peace process; that we could perhaps suspend the Composite Dialogue process?
External Affairs Minister: We have sent a demarche. We are expecting to receive a reply. Moreover, we expect Pakistan to take certain concrete action because they themselves have committed not to allow Pakistani territories to be used to carry on terrorist activities against India.
Interviewer: So, the Composite Dialogue, Sir, could be affected, if you are not satisfied with their reply?
External Affairs Minister of India: What we expect is not only a reply. Much more important than reply or response is action. We have suggested to them to take action against the terrorist organizations located in Pakistan, against the persons to whom the needle of suspicion points. If they take appropriate action, definitely the process would be invigorated.
Interviewer: But it could also be suspended, if they do not?
External Affairs Minister: Conclusion is yours. I have given the reply.
Interviewer: Sir, you have said that elements in Pakistan are behind the attack. Would you say that these are non-state elements or do you believe there could be sections of the military or the intelligence agencies also involved?
External Affairs Minister: Investigations are still going on. I mentioned about preliminary information available out of the investigation. And when full investigations would be completed, then all further details will be available to us.
Interviewer: Sir, today there were comments that we saw in the newspapers of Barack Obama saying that sovereign nations have a right to defend themselves. Is a military option on the cards at all for us at this point?
Interviewer: As and when it takes place, then people will come to know. Nobody publicises it or advertises it.
Interviewer: So, it is not ruled out?
External Affairs Minister: I am not making any comment on military option. What I am saying is that, every sovereign country has the right to protect its territorial integrity and take appropriate action as and when it feels necessary.
Interviewer: Sir, your colleague Mr. Veerappa Moily, the Spokesperson of the Party, actually said today that if necessary we will liquidate the terror camps in PoK.
External Affairs Minister: I have not seen it. But sometimes political leaders express their views.
Interviewer: What are your expectations though from the Pakistani Government? I ask you this question because President Zardari in an interview said that even if it is found that Pakistan-based terror groups are responsible for what happened in Mumbai, do not blame the Pakistani Government; and that we are fighting the same enemy. What would you say to him?
External Affairs Minister: It is not a question of blaming anybody. It is a question of taking action on the basis of information available. It is a question of fulfilling the commitment. It is a question of fulfilling the commitment which has been given to us not once but twice. When the Pakistan Foreign Minister or Pakistani leaders say that in the fight against terrorism we are with you, does it mean merely words or is it an expression of intention? To me it means concrete action to fight against terrorism wherever possible. Therefore, in this instant case we have given them some information and we expect them to act on that information, not merely give an expression of intention or say some words.
Interviewer: Sir, that information that we have given them, is that in the form of the preliminary evidence that we have with regard to Mumbai? Have we been able to share any evidence with them so far?
External Affairs Minister: We are not providing information in a court to be tried and to be legally explaining on it. They expressed their intention that we will cooperate with you in the fight against terrorism. Earlier, before Mumbai serial blasts, a Joint Anti Terror Mechanism was established. In the Composite Dialogue, particularly in the dialogue at the level of the Home Secretary, this is an important element, i.e. both sides to cooperate, to strengthen the anti-terror mechanism. Therefore, these are commitments for action. But if the commitment is confined only to the expression of intention or remains limited to words, it leads us nowhere. That is the point I am trying to drive at. We want action.
Interviewer: There is a view, Sir, that India should share whatever evidence it gets with regard to Mumbai with the international community and with the world because even if you present Pakistan with evidence, they may not necessarily act on that evidence which is what you want to see, you want to see action. Are you thinking along those lines of sharing this evidence with America, with other countries, especially those whose nationals have died in these attacks?
External Affairs Minister: It is not a question of a subject between India and Pakistan. It is a matter of fight against terrorism. In this heinous crime, barbarous attack in Mumbai, about 200 persons were killed; about 300 persons were injured. These are the hard facts. And about 26 foreign citizens were killed and 22 injured. Therefore, whatever information we have up to now, we have shared with the representatives or Heads of Missions of those countries to which these foreign citizens belong. But at the same time I would like to point out that it is not a question of building up a campaign or anything like that. India is committed to fight against terrorism. We are determined. Whoever would like to cooperate with us, we would be glad to cooperate with them. This is an act which country is determined to fight against.
Interviewer: Sir, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be here tomorrow. What is the message that you would convey to her? And what is the role that you would like to see the United States play in this situation?
External Affairs Minister: Let me talk to them. Let me talk to her. Let her come.
Interviewer: What role do you think America could play?
External Affairs Minister: Before I talk to them, how could I presume what they are going to tell me or what they are gong to convey to me?
Interviewer: Would you convey to them to put more pressure on Pakistan to act?
External Affairs Minister: I am not going to suggest anything suo motu. Let us have a discussion.
Interviewer: Sir, just one or two final questions. There has been a lot of speculation about whether the Indian cricket team would tour Pakistan even before this attack happened because of security concerns. Now there is speculation that the tour may be called off because of what happened. What is the position of that, Sir? Do you think that the two countries should be playing cricket right now?
External Affairs Minister: Any team, particularly cricket team, or a team for any other important event like that, we review the security situation prevailing there. Therefore, that was the exercise done. And in this situation I would not like to make any comment or what will be the future course of action. It is not possible to indicate right now.
Interviewer: But there are some reports in the press today that the part of the Composite Dialogue has been put on hold. For example, on Siachen and other issues because of the Mumbai attack. Is that the case? Are we suspending, informally suspending this dialogue?
External Affairs Minister: There is no question of formal or informal suspension. The question is that we must have the appropriate atmosphere conducive to carry on the dialogue. Unfortunately, that atmosphere has been vitiated. That is all.
(Ends)
