Singh to India Inc: Gear for global level

The PM made clear that India was on the road to a trade deal with China. Speaking about his meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao earlier in the day, he said: ‘‘The Joint Study Group should now submit its recommendations that would also include a preferential trade agreement for some areas.’’ He also referred to the strong ASEAN stance on India’s huge negative trade list. ‘‘ Yes, there’s an issue. I took note of that. They say our negative list is far too long.’’

Singh repeatedly brought up India Inc’s role. ‘‘We have to give legitimate protection to our industry—particularly the small segments—but all this can be evolved to make a win-win situation.’’ He also issued a potent reminder: ‘‘Fifteen years ago, all big industrialists were opposed to liberalization, and today they stand by it.’’

On domestic sizzlers, Singh gave his first reaction to the cash-for-questions scandal: ‘‘I can only express my sadness at such things. It is for both houses of Parliament to determine what action should be taken.’’ He added that he would only give his clarifications on the Volcker report controversy in Parliament.

Given that Singh attended the first East Asia Summit today apart from meeting his counterparts in China and Myanmar, much of his conference was dominated by international relations. Apart from trade, Jiabao and Singh had ‘‘good discussions’’ on the resolution of boundary dispute. ‘‘Both of us agreed that these discussions should be expedited.’’

In the other bilateral today, with Myanmar’s General Soe Win, Singh said that ‘‘We favour a national reconciliation and movement towards democracy, respect for fundamental human rights and allowing more political activities to flourish.’’ Singh said that he wanted Aung San Suu Kyi freed and it was for the people of Myanmar to resolve their problems. Myanmar was in the spotlight in the recent ASEAN summit on the human rights front. Cooperation in transportation and hydrocarbons was also discussed, and Singh said he got an assurance from his Myanmar counterpart that terrorism in the India’s North East would not come from its borders.

On the first East Asia Summit, Singh focused on the bigger picture. ‘‘In the long-run, there has to be vision. It will evolve and my own feeling is in due course of time, the effects of working together will grow.’’ The PM also expressed his comfort at the ASEAN being in control. ‘‘It’s only fair as they were the one who mooted the idea. We feel secure that they are in the driver’s seat.’’