EAM’s statememt in Rajya Sabha on working of MEA

31/07/2009

At the outset, I would like to thank members who have so actively participated in this important discussion. Very important issues raised by Hon’ble Members including Shri Arun Jaitley, Shri Arun Shourie and Shri N.K. Singh.

The dynamics of India’s foreign policy flow directly from the aspirations of our people. Inspired by the vision of our founding fathers, our foreign policy is distinguished by a tradition of continuity and consensus.

The ethos of our foreign policy

At the core of this continuity is autonomy of decision-making and independence of thought and action, and upholding of the values of pluralism, democracy and secularism. From this bedrock of values came our prominent role in the Non Aligned Movement which was recently reaffirmed during our attendance and participation in the 15th NAM Summit in Egypt from 15-16 July. This same bedrock remains today as we seek to creatively respond to new challenges and opportunities. The other key elements of this continuity are our belief in friendly relations with all countries, resolution of conflicts by peaceful means and an approach marked by maturity and balance in the conduct of international relations. We have never abdicated our international responsibilities.

In the new century, against the backdrop of new challenges that dot the international landscape, these core principles, in particular the autonomy of our decision-making, have enabled India to successfully pursue a multi-dimensional foreign policy of seeking strategic engagement, partnership and dialogue with all major global players. We have been able to do so without creating any contradiction or hyphenation between one set of relations and another. We are more connected with the world today than ever before in the past.

The challenges of Foreign Policy today

India’s steady ascendance as an economic power has expanded her circle of interaction and engagement with the rest of the world. One of the main challenges of our foreign policy lies in creating and maintaining a regional and international environment which would enable us to sustain a high rate of economic growth, create more opportunities for Indian entrepreneurship and enable India to realize her vast, latent potential.

The pursuit of enhanced trade, investment inflows, technology transfers, energy security and other economic imperatives has become an overarching imperative of our foreign policy. At the same time, India's own established capabilities, particularly in the field of some of the frontier technologies like space, information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, and her frontline role in the global knowledge economy have imparted a new confidence and strength to our foreign policy initiatives.

To achieve and accelerate India’s developmental transformation through enhanced interaction with the global economy, a neighbourhood policy that ensures a peaceful periphery, and to continuously seek a supportive international environment, therefore, remain the fundamental objective of India's foreign policy.

The working of our foreign policy in our neighbourhood

With this objective in mind, a major focus of Indian foreign policy over the years has been the establishment and consolidation of good neighbourly relations with the countries in South Asia. In this context, India has worked for the evolution of SAARC into an effective organisation that will promote meaningful regional integration. At the bilateral level, India has significant economic assistance programmes to assist the governments of Bhutan and Nepal in their development efforts. We have provided full support to the peace process in Nepal. We are fully engaged with Nepal, through a regular exchange of high level visits and regular meetings of institutional mechanisms at various levels with Nepal.

Despite the terrorist attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul in July 2008 and continued security threats to the personnel of our Embassy and Consulates in Afghanistan and to those implementing development projects there, the Government of India is committed to provide assistance to the government and people of Afghanistan in their reconstruction effort. Our developmental and reconstruction assistance programmes are widely appreciated by the Government and people of Afghanistan.

The Sri Lankan issue was raised by Dr. K. Malaisamy and Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan. In Sri Lanka, we have seen a new phase in internal developments. We are prepared to assist the Government of Sri Lanka in the recovery of war ravaged areas in the North and East of the country and to help alleviate the humanitarian problems of the large numbers of the local population in the IDP camps, so that they are able to lead normal lives once again. We are contributing substantially to this humanitarian effort including setting-up of a field hospital at Vavuniya, supply of shelter material, despatch of demining teams and supply of more than 1.7 lakhs family packs of food and relief supplies. Our Prime Minister has announced Rs. 500 crores assistance, and if need be, he has also promised to increase the aid quantum.

No discussion on our neighbourhood policy would be complete without reference to our relations with Pakistan. The peoples of our two countries must be allowed to prosper in an atmosphere of peace. At the same time, we cannot, and will not, be oblivious to the continued threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Progress is not possible in our dialogue with Pakistan in an atmosphere vitiated by violence or the threat to use violence. The Joint Statement of July 17, 2009 encapsulates this view and stand-point that any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only follow the concrete fulfilment of their commitments not to allow their territory to be used for terrorist activities against India.

My esteemed friend, Shri Arun Shourie referred to Pakistan in some detail in the course of his speech. He is now advocating a policy towards Pakistan that his own government did not follow. He accuses us of having removed the pressure on Pakistan to act against terrorism and of having lowered our expectations. I simply do not see how this is so. Let me assure him that, as the Prime Minister has said, he and I have left the Pakistani leadership in no doubt whatsoever that we expect action against the perpetrators of Mumbai and other terrorist attacks against India, the dismantling of the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan and the prevention of such future attacks.

I welcome the fact that we debate, in a democratic manner, our policy towards Pakistan. But to make a point, or oppose the government, let us not give more credence to what others say over what Prime Minister and our own government have formally stated.

We are not here to question each others’ motives. We are united against terrorism period. But equally we will continue the consistent policy towards Pakistan which includes dialogue in the steps we will take provided Pakistan takes unequivocal steps.

Shri Biswajit Daimary and Shri S. S. Ahluwalia raised the issue of development of North East, and its role in our foreign policy. North East has been an important focus area for the Ministry. Apart from the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project to connect ports in India’s eastern seaboard to the North Eastern States via Myanmar and the Tamu-Kalewa-Kalemyo (TKK) road connecting Manipur to Myanmar, India is also taking several steps to enhance engagement of North Eastern states with Myanmar. We are opening up trade at border points with Myanmar. In our discussions with Bangladesh, we have accorded the highest priority to enhanced connectivity between Bangladesh and North Eastern states.

Shri Tariq Anwar mentioned our ‘Look East’ policy. Our various initiatives in ASEAN, East Asia Summit [ASEAN, India, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China and South Korea], BIMSTEC [Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand] and Mekong Ganga Cooperation [India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam] have great potential in rejuvenating our historical and civilizational links with our neighbours in the east. With the rapidly changing economic circumstances in the world, we see great opportunities in advancing the process of our economic integration with the ASEAN and other countries in the region. In this activity, we have been coordinating closely with our Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

China

With China, India has a strategic and cooperative partnership. We have an established architecture for dialogue through which all issues of common interest and concern are discussed. Bilateral trade has grown significantly and a target of US $ 60 billion by 2010 has been jointly set for such trade. The “Shared Vision for the 21st Century” signed by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with his Chinese counterpart in January 2008 has added a regional and multi-dimensional aspect to our bilateral ties. Certainly, there are outstanding issues between India and China. The Special Representatives are discussing the Boundary Question and both countries have agreed to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement to this issue. The matter, of course, is complex and requires time and lots of patience. Meanwhile, our endeavour is to ensure that peace and tranquillity are maintained in the border areas.

An Hon’ble member raised the issue of construction of a dam by China on the Brahmaputra. We have instituted a mechanism of Expert Level Talks on water resources between India and China to focus on issues such as exchange of flood control data and emergency response management in Brahmaputra and Satluj Rivers.

Gulf Region

The Gulf region is our neighbour across the Arabian sea and has a special place in India’s external relations framework. India has had close civilizational contacts, trade and exchanges with this region spanning several centuries. The Gulf region has left an indelible imprint on our history, on our culture and on our civilization.

India’s relations with GCC countries have evolved and have been strengthened over the years. India’s “look-west” policy directed at the GCC is reflective of our desire to deepen our relations with the countries of the Gulf and we are fashioning a structure of multifaceted cooperation covering all sectors. The Gulf region is an area of special focus in our foreign policy. It forms part of India’s strategic neighbourhood, is an important source of energy, home to over four and a half million Indians and a major trading partner. India enjoys excellent relations with these countries and bilateral engagement during this period has witnessed further growth and diversification. There has been intensification of high-level interactions in the recent past.

Palestine

Some Hon’ble members have raised the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. India has a consistent and unwavering record of support for the Palestinian cause since the days of our freedom struggle. Our policy is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the “Quartet” (US-Russia-EU-UN) Roadmap and the Arab Peace Initiative. India supports a united, independent, viable, sovereign state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognised borders side by side at peace with Israel. We have expressed concern for the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. The $10 million grant made in March 2009 as budget support for the Palestine National Authority is but one of many examples of India's long history of assistance for Palestine. During the visit of the President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas to India in October 2008, the foundation stone of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi was laid, which is now near completion. This Embassy building is a gift of the government and people of India to Palestine. We also assist Palestine in developing its human resource through the ITEC programme.

As Hon'ble Members are aware, diplomatic relations with Israel were established in 1992. Our relations with Israel are varied and mutually beneficial.

Iran

Shri Ram Jethmalani raised the issue of our relations with Iran. We attach importance to our relations with Iran - these relations are civilizational and historical, but equally the relationship should be a contemporary and modern one.

India and the U.S.

Several Hon’ble members have raised the issue of our relations with USA. I would like to underline here that our relations with USA are not at the cost of our relations with any other country. India-US relations have been transformed in recent years and the bilateral engagement extends across a wide spectrum which includes science and technology, energy, counter-terrorism, defence, security, trade and commerce, education, space among other issues. A major development was the signing of the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement in October 2008. This landmark agreement has been followed by similar agreements with other countries for civil nuclear cooperation. A clearly defined architecture for dialogue was announced during the recent visit of US Secretary of State to India this month. The firm foundation provided by this robust bilateral engagement has enabled the India-US strategic partnership to strengthen itself in areas of global engagement. The two countries interact closely on global issues of common concern such as Energy Security, Disarmament and Non-proliferation, international peace and security, multilateral trade negotiations and the G20 Process.

E.U.M.

Some Hon’ble members have asked about the End Use Monitoring (EUM) arrangements that we have agreed with United States. All Governments have arrangements to ensure that defence related weapons and equipments that are transferred do not fall into the wrong hands and are only for legitimate use. We too do so for our exports of such materials. Successive Governments of India have entered into these arrangements with supplier states, including the US, for several years. With the US, which has its own legal requirements, we have entered into ad-hoc arrangements for individual supplies in the past. What we have now done is to agree on the End Use Monitoring arrangements that would henceforth be referred to in Letters of Acceptance of Indian procurements of US defence technology and equipments. These provide for joint consultations on modalities and in no way compromise our sovereignty, or limit our sovereign choice of whether, where and what weapons we choose to buy for our national defence. The arrangements that we have agreed are fully in consonance with our sovereignty and dignity.

Responses to global economic crisis

In the last two decades, we have expanded the scope and depth of economic and strategic interaction with different countries, groups and regions including China, Russia, the USA, Japan, EU, South East Asia, Central Asia, IBSA, BRIC, the G5 and G8. This enhanced interaction with the global community reflects India’s growing stature on the international stage.

Against the background of the global financial and economic crisis, India’s participation in global groupings like the G-20, G-8, the G-5 outreach group and BRIC has been highly valued. At the recent G8-G5 outreach meeting at L’Aquila, our assessment and views were heard with attention and deeply appreciated. Our view as articulated by our Prime Minister was that any future growth of the global economy is sustainable only on the strength of domestic stimulus packages which aim to make the poor and the youth bankable, that the old pattern of economic growth driven by consumption in the USA is no longer sustainable, and that the first and over-riding priority of developing countries like India is economic and social development and poverty eradication.

Another example of our increased global engagement is India’s membership of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). The first stand-alone formal summit meeting of the four BRIC countries was held in June 2009 at Yekaterinburg in Russia. The main issues for discussion amongst the leaders were the implications of the current global financial and economic crisis and the potential for cooperation among the four BRIC countries. These processes also give us greater opportunities to shape the new global balance of power. The ongoing economic crisis has highlighted the need for redistributing power within international financial institutions like the Wold Bank, the IMF. Such redistribution needs to be extended to political organs of global governance such as the UN Security Council.

Some Hon’ble members (Shri Mohammad Amin and Shri Tariq Anwar) expressed appreciation of India’s active participation in the IBSA [grouping of India, Brazil and South Africa] and BRIC. India has been alive to the changing global realities of today and has been quite quick to grasp their import. Our recent experience with groupings, such as these, has been that the emerging economies have considerable potential for not only developing synergies between themselves but also for making an impact on the shaping the outcomes of the international debate on critical issues of concern to all of us. This has implications for the future shape of the world order which is, already, in a flux for a variety of reasons. With such an active diplomatic interaction, we feel quite confident that India and other countries will be able to protect our interest in the World Trade Organisation negotiations about which some apprehensions were expressed.

ENR Technologies

With regard to the specific issue of a reported ban on transfer of enrichment and reprocessing technologies, the recent G-8 statement at the L’Aquila Summit, which is a political statement and not a legally binding document, refers to discussions at the NSG, which are ongoing. No decision has been taken by the NSG. Government has been in regular touch with the NSG Troika (past, current and future Chairman) and with key NSG countries. As part of this dialogue there was an India-NSG Troika meeting on 11 May 2009. During this meeting the NSG delegation was made aware of our position and concerns. The NSG delegation said that they would convey these to the Group. It is India’s expectation that our international partners in civil nuclear cooperation will implement the bilateral agreements that we have entered into.

Hon’ble Deputy Chairman

Ties with developing countries

India continues to strengthen its partnership with other developing countries in Africa, Latin America, Central and South East Asia. India’s long standing historical relationship with Africa acquired further substance and even deeper relevance with the first ever India-Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in April 2008. At the summit India renewed its deep commitment to contribute and work with our African partners for the development of Africa. India is also making strenuous efforts to cultivate stronger bonds with the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean region and to explore the enormous opportunities that exist for trade and economic interaction with this region. Under the ITEC and the SCAAP programmes, India has been assisting countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Eurasia in the field of capacity building and around 5,000 professionals from 158 developing countries have attended various training and educational courses in India in areas of interest and advantage to them.

Indian students in Australia

Hon’ble Members have expressed concern about the attack on Indian students in Australia. The issue has been taken up at the highest levels of the Australian Government. The Government of Australia have conveyed to us their firm commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Indian students in Australia. Some specific steps have been taken by the Australian government, including launch of a police operation specifically to investigate the incidents of attacks on students; provision of 24 hour hotline (in Hindi and English) by a Community Reference Group to provide support, information and advice to Indian students who are victims of crime; and setting up of a Police Community Reference Group to improve communications between the police and the student community. More importantly, the Australian Government have also stated that they are considering the possibility of amending the existing law to enlarge the definition of offence to include race, religion, ethnicity and nationality related violence against people or individuals. The proposed amendment would strengthen the police response to the attacks against Indian students.

Haj Pilgrimage

Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, performing Haj is one of the holiest and most cherished dreams for our Muslim brothers and sisters. For my Ministry and indeed the Government of India, facilitating the Haj pilgrimage year after year is among the most elaborate year-long exercise and an important task undertaken by us both in India and abroad. We have been striving to bring about improvements in Haj pilgrimage management to make it more comfortable and affordable.

An Hon’ble Member (Shri Gopal Vyas) referred to the size of the Haj goodwill delegation. The Haj goodwill delegation comprises of eminent personalities, sent to assess the Haj arrangements. It is not possible to lay down strict criteria for selecting leading, eminent community members. Some leading members of the delegation also attend the dinner traditionally hosted by His Majesty the King of Saudi Arabia. As regards family members of the delegation members, Government of India does not make any arrangements not does it pay for their travel or stay. As regards rationalizing the size of the Goodwill delegation, the matter is under consideration.

An Hon’ble Member (Shri Malihabadi) raised the issue of waiver of service tax being levied on private operators arranging Haj visits, since the services are rendered abroad. We too have received representations from the private operators, and the matter will be referred to the Ministry of Finance for their consideration. As regards setting up a ‘Haj Corporation’, wide-ranging reforms in the area of Haj management are being examined.

Passport Seva project

My Ministry has launched the Passport Seva Project in August 2007, which when completed will substantially improve the level and quality of services offered to citizens for passport related matters. This is one of the largest e-governance initiatives that Government of India has undertaken. The Project envisages the creation of 77 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) across the country, the creation of call centre operating 24x7 in 17 languages, and a centralized nationwide computerized system for issuance of passports. The launch of pilot sites is expected in October 2009 at Bangalore (covering the whole of Karnataka) and Chandigarh (covering parts of states of Punjab & Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh). The project is scheduled to be rolled out throughout the country in three waves and expected to be completed by June 2010.

Administration

Some Members (Shri Arun Shourie, Shri N.K. Singh and Shri Naresh Gujral) raised administrative issues related to my Ministry. I fully endorse the very valid points made by Hon’ble Members on the continuing need for the Ministry of External Affairs to respond with the spirit of creativity and innovation to the requirements and challenges imposed by a rapidly changing world situation. We remain ever sensitive to the need for constantly reviewing the enhancing the human resource strengths of the Ministry, providing the requisite budgetary enhancement and giving importance to the initial training and mid-career training of our diplomats and officials. Mid-career training has now been made mandatory for an officer to be promoted to Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary levels. We have undertaken a major overhaul of our promotion policies. We are also augmenting our manpower through selective and need-based induction of specialist officers from other Ministries and Departments into MEA. Approval of the Union Cabinet has also been secured for a forward looking expansion of the officer cadre of the Ministry. The needs of our commercial diplomacy and the projection of India’s soft power and civilizational values are receiving particular attention in this scenario.

The need for constantly infusing the working of foreign policy with new ideas and concepts is also fully recognized. The Indian Council for World Affairs is a research institution that works closely with the Ministry in this regard by providing an effective forum for exchange of ideas and identifying areas for further study and research that involve discussion and debate with scholars outside the government. Our Missions abroad also interact on a systematic basis with foreign universities and India Study Programmes so that India’s viewpoint is effectively articulated in order to bridge information and awareness gaps.

I welcome the constructive suggestions that we have heard from several members. Shri Arun Shourie said that we should quadruple the size of our Foreign Service and our foreign aid budget. Shri N.K. Singh spoke of doubling the IFS. The Cabinet decided last year on a five year programme to double the size of our diplomatic cadre. We will certainly also look at boosting the financial resources available to our diplomacy, as the tasks and demands on us grow.

Shri Ravi Shanker Prasad noted the need for training in neighbouring country languages. Ministry is training more IFS officers in neighbouring country languages. Our officers possess considerable language skills that are put to constant use in the conduct of our diplomacy.

Sardar Tarlochan Singh raised the Sikh Turban issue in France. The Government of India have made a number of demarches at the highest levels to the French Government conveying the sensitivity of the issue and the need to find a satisfactory solution. Prime Minister had raised this issue in his recent meeting with President Sarkozy of France. The French President assured the Prime Minister that nobody in France will be prevented from wearing the turban. As regards restrictions on the use of turbans by the Sikh community in state funded schools, as well as while getting photographed for official French documents, an Aide Memoire suggesting possible solutions has been handed over.

Shri Gopal Vyas had raised the matter of the Savarkar memorial in Marseilles. The matter is being pursued by our Embassy in France with the office of the Mayor of Marseilles on a regular basis. It has been conveyed by the concerned French officials that they need to examine some previous records to ascertain the current status of the matter. However, there has been a delay in this due to the displacement of the office of the Mayor of Marseilles from its original location due to damage caused by catastrophic storms in 1998. We are continuing to pursue the issue with the local authorities in Marseilles.

Some Hon’ble members raised the issue of public and cultural diplomacy. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations already has 21 cultural centres abroad, and 15 more new cultural centres are on the anvil, with one in Tokyo to be inaugurated shortly this year. The process of identification of land for a centre in Washington is underway.

Hon’ble Deputy Chairman,

I have tried to present a picture of some of the more significant achievements of the MEA in the last one year. The list has been of necessity selective and has not covered many other areas of India’s foreign relations. At the same time, the achievements mentioned will, I trust, convey, a clear picture of the positive trends in India’s interaction with the world’s major powers and our development cooperation with other developing countries. As already stated there are several challenges also being faced by Indian foreign policy including the destabilizing effects of cross-border terrorism and the world financial crisis which has inevitably affected the domestic economy even though the negative effects on our economy have been relatively less than in some other countries. It has always been the MEA’s endeavour to follow a dynamic foreign policy that responds effectively to changes in the international environment and is sensitive to India’s developmental needs.

Thank You.

New Delhi
July 31, 2009

Home