‘India will not lower its guard along the LoC’

• What are your concerns over the victory of religious parties in Pakistan? Will it boost the Kashmiri struggle?Arif Bahar

THE victory of religious parties in the Pakistani elections is of concern to the whole region as well as the rest of the world given their declared policy of ‘jehad’ and known links with the Taliban. We are committed to resisting violence and terrorism until it is decisively crushed and we have the means to do so.

• Since the BJP came to power, it has been insisting that no foreign country (including the USA) will mediate between India and Pakistan. Why does it seem that India is waiting for signals from USA to convince Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism?Yogesh D Katira

INDIA is committed to solving all bilateral issues with Pakistan on the basis of the Simla Agreement. There is no scope for any third party role in bilateral India-Pakistan issues. The Government has battled cross-border terrorism from Pakistan for over a decade and will continue to do so with all appropriate means, including international diplomatic engagement, till this menace is conquered. India does not accept that there is a link between cross border terrorism and the Jammu and Kashmir issue. The international community recognises and accepts this position.

• Now that Pakistan & North Korea’s clandestine deal in the production of nuclear weapons has been exposed, is India going to take any steps to bring pressure on USA to include Pakistan in the ‘Axis of Evil’?Mithilesh N Prasad

REPORTS of Pakistan’s links with North Korea in the nuclear field has not come as a surprise. Pakistan’s missile programme has been developed with assistance from other countries, including North Korea. Reports that Pakistan has in return aided North Korean nuclear programme need to be investigated seriously.

The problem of clandestine transfers and acquisition of nuclear and missile technology involving Pakistan is a matter of deep concern because Pakistan today is the epicentre of international terrorism.

• The NDA govt has completed three years in office. What is the biggest achievement of the External Affairs Ministry during this period?

THERE have been several notable achievements of the Ministry during the three years NDA Government has been in office. These include overcoming the problem of economic sanctions against India and her isolation after the nuclear tests in May, 1998, improvement of India’s relations with all the major countries of the world, major initiatives taken to build durable linkages between the Indian Diaspora and the motherland, renewed efforts to maintain friendly, close and mutually productive relations with our neighbours in South Asia and with the countries of South East Asia both on bilateral level as well as in ASEAN context etc.

However, the most significant among them is India’s success in convincing the international community of the cross border terrorism unleashed by Pakistan. All major countries have condemned cross border terrorism into India and put pressure on Pakistan to permanently end this menace.

Never before has India received so much support from the international community vis-a-vis Pakistan. The successful conclusion of the recently held Jammu and Kashmir elections had further enhanced the image of India internationally.

• Jaswant Singh in the US had supported America’s pre-emptive strike doctrine. Is that the official position of the MEA as well? What is our position on this doctrine?Malli Bramhadesam

I HAVE seen the comments attributed to the Finance Minister in media reports. The Government’s position is that countries have the right to self-defence by all lawful means within the framework of the UN Charter.

• What would India’s position be if the United States does carry out an attack on Iraq?

INDIA is vitally interested in the peace and prosperity of the Gulf region and has therefore supported all efforts to defuse the crisis relating to Iraq. India has consistently opposed unilateral armed action against Iraq. India has welcomed the resumption of diplomatic efforts under the auspices of the United Nations and it is hoped that a workable and effective solution to the issue will be found which would avert armed action.

We believe that sanctions against Iraq should be lifted in tandem with full and effective compliance by Iraq with the relevant Security Council Resolutions.