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Suo Motu Statement by Shri S.M. Krishna,
Minister of External Affairs in Parliament on “Prime Minister’s
visit to Bhutan for the 16th SAARC Summit”
03/05/2010
Hon’ble Speaker,
Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh returned from Bhutan on
30th April where he participated in the 16th SAARC Summit. This was
a historic summit as it marked the 25th anniversary of the
Organization. This was also the first gathering of the SAARC leaders
in Bhutan.
As Honourable members are aware, we have a historically close
relationship with Bhutan. We would like to compliment the Royal
Government of Bhutan and its enlightened leadership on the excellent
manner in which they organized the Summit, and ensured productive
outcomes.
Prime Minister had very fruitful discussions with Prime Minister
Jigmi Thinley and an audience with Their Majesties the King of
Bhutan and the Fourth King of Bhutan. These discussions have
reinforced my conviction that India-Bhutan relations remain strong,
deep-rooted and steeped in mutual trust and understanding. Prime
Minister and Prime Minister Thinley launched two new large
hydropower projects as part of our commitment to jointly develop
10,000 MWs of hydro-power capacity in Bhutan by the year 2020. They
also laid the foundation stone of the Bhutan Institute of Medical
Sciences and initiated an e-governance and IT project in Bhutan.
At the SAARC Summit, Prime Minister recalled what Prime Minister
Rajiv Gandhi had said at the first SAARC Summit in Dhaka in 1985,
that the establishment of the organization was an act of faith. The
Summit provided an opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved
in these two and half decades, what more needs to be done, and on
the kind of a South Asia we wish to create for our present and
future generations.
Prime Minister stressed that regional cooperation should enable
freer movement of people, of ideas, and of goods and services. It is
not sufficient to merely conclude agreements and conventions. The
challenge before us is to translate these agreements into practical
activities and programmes, which touch the lives of our people.
Prime Minister emphasized the need for greater regional cooperation
in areas such as agriculture, forestry, education, healthcare,
women’s empowerment, skill development and technological
innovations. The Summit concluded an Agreement on Trade in Services.
The 21st century cannot be an Asian century unless South Asia
marches together. Prime Minister shared our vision of a prosperous
and vibrant South Asia playing its rightful role in shaping the
global discourse on issues facing the world. There was a convergence
of views on the need to transform SAARC into a truly
action-oriented, people-centric and dynamic regional organization.
There was unanimous condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations.
The theme of the Summit was “Climate Change”. The leaders of the
SAARC countries exchanged views on deepening regional cooperation
for tackling the effects of global warming in our region, and how we
can benefit from each other’s experiences and strengths. A Summit
Declaration on Climate Change as well as a Convention on Cooperation
on Environment was concluded.
There was widespread appreciation for India’s initiatives and role
in contributing to the region’s stability and prosperity. We will
continue to persevere in our efforts to create a climate of
constructive cooperation in South Asia based on mutual respect and
mutual benefit.
Prime Minister had the opportunity of having bilateral meetings with
the Presidents of Maldives and Sri Lanka, and the Prime Ministers of
Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. There was a common desire among all
our neighbours to further strengthen their relations with India.
During Prime Minister’s meeting with President Nasheed of Maldives,
the two sides reviewed our close and friendly relations, based on
mutual trust and understanding and shared interests. Prime Minister
reiterated India’s commitment to deepen our partnership with
Maldives across all areas.
President Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka informed Prime Minister of their
efforts for political reconciliation and for bringing lasting peace
in the country. Prime Minister congratulated the President on the
recent election victory in Presidential and Parliamentary elections,
and reiterated India’s commitment to assist Sri Lanka in its relief
and rehabilitation efforts, and to strengthen our bilateral
relations in diverse areas.
With Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, Prime Minister
reaffirmed our commitment to expeditiously implement the various
decisions taken during her landmark visit to India in January 2010.
Prime Minister conveyed to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal,
India’s support for the ongoing efforts of the people of Nepal for
the consolidation of multi-party democracy in Nepal. Both sides
expressed satisfaction at the progress made in our cooperation since
the visits of Prime Minister Nepal to India in August 2009 and the
President of Nepal in February 2010.
Prime Minister had a cordial and frank discussion with Prime
Minister Gilani of Pakistan. He told him that if the trust deficit
between India and Pakistan can be eliminated all issues can be
resolved through dialogue. Good neighbourly relations between India
and Pakistan were in the interest of both our countries as well as
in the interest of the peace, stability and development in the
region. He reiterated our serious concerns on terrorism emanating
from Pakistan, and urged the Pakistani Prime Minister to expedite
action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attack. He
was assured that Pakistan was serious about bringing these
perpetrators to book. The Foreign Ministers and Foreign Secretaries
have been entrusted with the responsibility to work out mechanisms
on how the trust deficit can be removed.
President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan visited India on April 26-27,
2010, before proceeding to Thimphu for the SAARC Summit. Prime
Minister met President Karzai and discussed a broad range of
bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest, and the two
leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the strategic partnership
between the two countries. Prime Minister reiterated our commitment
to assist the Government and people of Afghanistan in their efforts
towards the reconstruction and development of their country.
New Delhi
May 3, 2010 |
