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Primacy to national interest : PM

	February 06, 2006

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a formal news conference in New Delhi on February 1 made it clear that his Government would be guided by national interest in deciding upon the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Iran nuclear issue and crucial economic issues like airport modernisation. In an unambiguous statement, Dr. Manmohan Singh said his Government’s policy will not be guided by coalition pressures, but by “enlightened national interest.”



The Prime Minister said his Government was keen on constructive engagement with the US and that the nuclear deal signed with Washington was in national interest. “The quality of our relationship with the US has been upgraded. There is no question of bending. This will help us to have international cooperation in accessing nuclear materials. The energy security of the nation can get an added edge,” the Prime minister said.



The Prime Minister who did not specify a deadline for implementing the deal, said there has been progress in the negotiations. “I will take Parliament into confidence on the issue. There will be complete transparency,” he said. This is seen as an outright rejection of the Left’s charge about secret negotiations with the US.



On the Iran issue, the Prime Minister made it clear that the reflexes of the Government will be governed by India’s “self-interest.” He rammed in the point that Iran will have to be mindful of its NPT obligations and said New Delhi was keen that the issue is settled through diplomacy and negotiations.



The Prime Minister, who was unwilling to be distracted by the inelegant observations of US Ambassador David Mulford, asserted that India was not experiencing any outside interference or pressure. “We will not act under any pressure. India is the fastest growing economy, and open society and open economy. I do not wish to comment on what the Ambassador had said,” he said.



The Prime Minister said the forthcoming visit of President Bush will provide an opportunity to review the progress made in the engagement between the two countries. “It will be also an occasion to review the progress made on the joint statement.”



Observers say if the Prime Minister’s assertions are anything to go by, it shows a resolve on the part of the Government to contain the stress caused by the allies, particularly the Left.



During his interaction with the media, the Prime Minister made it plain that he was unimpressed by the Opposition’s definition of the concept of non-alignment. “For me, non-alignment means pursuing nation’s interest.” In other words, India should deal with every power and Government that is capable of offering a good deal to India.



The Prime Minister conceded that pressure from the Left could mount as the Assembly elections in Kerala and West Bengal drew nearer. With the Left already showing signs of distancing from the Congress, this could mean the Government expects more interference in policy issues. However, the Prime Minister tried to do a balancing act on coalition politics by admitting it imposed constraints in governance while asserting that some pressures were useful.



Dr. Singh said coalition Governments meant different points of view but these needed to be harmonised. The Prime Minister had recently dismissed the Left’s opposition to FDI in retail as a “healthy pressure” and expressed optimism about convincing the Left that it was in the country’s interests.





Sonia’s guidance



The Prime Minister resorted to diplomacy and safe-play while dealing with questions on division of power between him and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. As the first ever Congress Prime Minister, who is not holding the post of the party-president, but has to live with the reality of the super power at 10 Janpath, Singh said the “advice and guidance” of Gandhi was a source of strength than a matter of weakness.”



“The division of power between him and Ms. Sonia Gandhi, I must say, has worked well. We have worked in complete harmony. As president of the Congress and chairperson of the UPA, Ms. Gandhi’s advice and guidance has been a source of strength for me,” he said. Singh defended the right of Gandhi to intervene in the decision-making process. “She is the president of the Congress and the chairperson of the UPA. Both these positions give her legitimate right to intervene in the decision-making process. She has been extremely supportive of me,” he said.



On whether the perceived dual power centres - Sonia Gandhi being the person “in-charge of the political power” and he in charge of economic matters - had weakened his political decision-making, the Prime Minister said both of them have been working with “perfect coordination and understanding” and, therefore, there was no clash of interest.



Responding to allegations that he was a “weak Prime Minister”, he said “the proof of the pudding lies in the eating. I should not be judged by what Advani says. I should be judged by what our Government does for the poor people of the country and what we are achieving on the economic front. And, I am sure that people will appreciate our work.”





Government will last full term



The Prime Minister said that despite differences with the Left allies on economic and foreign issues, the UPA Government would complete its five-year term. He said : “There may be differences within the coalition, but whenever a decision is taken, it is taken consensually. Our Government will not fall, it will last five years.”





Relations with Pakistan



Dr. Manmohan Singh said India attached great importance to having most friendly relations with Pakistan, and emphasised that history and destiny obliged both countries to stay engaged to sort out differences. He said: “I do not wish to minimise the difficulties (involved in India”s ties with Islamabad), but I believe the destiny and history of our two countries oblige us to stay engaged.”



“We have to stay engaged despite the difficulties that may be on the horizon. I attach great importance to having the friendliest possible relations with Pakistan,” he stressed.



Responding to a question on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s reported remarks at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Dr Singh said: “We can choose our friends, but we have no choice when it comes to our neighbours.” He said the government was committed to a “pragmatic and practical” solution to all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir, but made it clear there was no question of transferring any Indian territory in the process.



On the positive side, he noted that there had been real progress in terms of greater people-to-people contact, bus services connecting each other and opening up of five points along the LoC, all of which had helped long divided families on either side to meet.



About tackling the Kashmir problem, he said the government was willing to interact with all shades of opinion in the state provided they were ready to eschew violence.



He said India had a “legitimate” claim for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council and said there was a growing recognition worldwide about this but admitted there could be “some difficulties on the way”.



Some other points made by the Prime Minister at his news conference are as follows :



* Economy expected to grow at 8 per cent plus on sustained basis.



* Sixth Pay Commission for Central Government employees to be set up.



* Roadmap to be laid out for an additional 1,50,000 mw of power generation.



* Defreezing of Quattrocchi bank accounts decided solely by CBI.



* “Being a politician should not be a disqualification for the gubernatorial posts.”



* Dissolution of Bihar was “right thing” to do.



* Natwar Singh’s return not ruled out.



* Consensus to be evolved on creation of Telengana state.



* Government looking at how minority status of Aligarh Muslim University can be restored.



* Free trade area with ASEAN by year-end, FTA with China also being considered.