NEW DELHI, March 3: Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee briefed parliament on Monday on his policies with China, Pakistan and others and expressed the hope that the Composite Dialogue with Islamabad would resume as soon as a new government was installed there.
“India shared the anguish of the people of Pakistan at the tragic assassination of former prime minister Mrs Benazir Bhutto in a despicable terrorist act,” Mr Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha. “We are gratified that, in the recent elections in Pakistan, the people of Pakistan were able to express their wishes clearly and in a democratic manner on their own future. India wishes to see Pakistan develop and prosper in a stable democratic order. “Government stands ready to resume the Composite Dialogue process as soon as a duly constituted government is in place in Pakistan. It remains our hope that we would be able to resolve outstanding issues and build a mutually beneficial relationship with Pakistan in an atmosphere free of violence and terrorism.”
Mr Mukherjee appeared particularly firm in his response to China’s reservations expressed over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the border state claimed by Beijing and site of a brief war in 1962.
“I will be visiting China this year and the Chinese foreign minister will also visit India. We will be holding the second annual defence dialogue as well as the second joint military exercise this year in an effort to continue deepening mutual understanding and trust between our armed forces. Our bilateral trade continues to show strong growth and both governments have revised the trade target to $60 billion by 2010,” Mr Mukherjee said.
He then made a politically significant statement. “Hon’ble Members are aware that Chinese officials have expressed regret at PM’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh in end January 2008. PM’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh was to assure our citizens that government is mindful of their developmental needs, and is ready and willing to assist them through concrete projects. The fact that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side by government.”
The security situation in Afghanistan remains a concern to India, but will not be allowed to affect Delhi’s commitment to Afghanistan’s reconstruction, Mr Mukherjee said. He made a case also for the stalled nuclear deal with the United States.
