Fernandes does not rule out a breakthrough in
Indo-US talks
Defence Minister George Fernandes does not rule out a breakthrough in the next round of Indo-US talks. The fourth round of talks is scheduled in Washington in the second week of August.
Fernandes said the next round of talks between Planning Commission Deputy
Chairman Jaswant Singh and US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe
Talbott should see things ''move forward as the previous three
rounds had resulted in a softening of attitudes." The defence minister was returning from Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir after overseeing the arrangements for the Amarnath yatra.
The minister said an acceptance of India's new status as a nuclear weapons state
and the removal of sanctions would comprise a 'move forward' in Indo-US diplomacy.
"Indications are that the US wants to find a way out of
the predicament,'' said Fernandes elaborating the basis of his optimism.
He pointed out that like the farmers lobby, a number of
US business houses had said that investments in India would continue irrespective of the sanctions.
''We stated our concerns and they stressed their approach.
Almost all the issues were discussed and it was made clear that
there could be no roll back of India's nuclear weapons programme,'' said Fernandes about his meeting with General Joseph Ralston.
''General Ralston is a very forthright man as he is a soldier. He
means well by India,'' he added, in a conversation with reporters on board the IAF's special aircraft from Amarnath.
Talking about the Agni missile programme, he clarified the parliamentary standing
committee had recommended that the government should go ahead with its
development. He, however, indicated that this was ''an ongoing
programme.''
Fernandes stated that more missile tests "may or may not be required.''
Without giving further details of the Agni missile, he said India was a highly sophisticated nation in missile technology.
The minister pointed out it was clear that the command and control structure for nuclear weapons would be in
political hands. He, however, said once the National Security Council
was in position only then will such matters be
settled.
On the formation of the NSC, the minister said the report submitted by
the high-powered task force was under consideration by the
government at this juncture.
Fernandes clarified that although India conducted the nuclear tests on May 11 and 13, the tested devices did not
come into being after Atal Bihari Vajpayee took office as prime
minister. ''Those in power earlier must also have thought about it," he added.
More recently, about his trip to Jammu & Kashmir, the defence minister said both Hindus and Muslims had defied militants threats. This was evident in the smooth functioning of the Amarnath yatra
which attracted a record number of pilgrims this year.
At more than 13,500 feet, the cave shrine of Amarnath is easily the
highest religious place in the country.
More than 72,500 pilgrims have already completed the yatra. It
is estimated that by the end of the yatra on August 8, an equal
number of pilgrims would have paid obeisance at the shrine,
making it a record of sorts. Last year 82,000 pilgrims had visited the cave shrine.
The minister expressed his happiness and satisfaction at the way Muslims were acting as great facilitators of the yatra in
spite of threats.
This was the defence minister's third visit to J&K after assuming charge of the defence portfolio.
The minister, who completed the last one-hour stretch of the yatra on foot, said he
was ''delighted'' to see the Muslim participation in the yatra.
''This new and positive development in defying the militants'
threat indicates the high morale of the people and the security
forces,'' he said.
Fernandes felt this was demonstrative of the fact that the designs of
the forces who wanted a divide on the basis of religion had been
frustrated, and the whole country should take note of it.
So satisfied was Fernandes with the smooth functioning of the yatra that he observed that one could
mistake it for a yatra in Bihar, rather than one in troubled Kashmir.
''The attempts at a communal divide have been beaten back,'' he
stressed.
The minister praised the army, BSF and other security
forces, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir police for a commendable job.
However, he added it will take some time for a political initiative.
Fernandes said it would be the central government's endeavour to ensure
that the elected state government in Jammu and Kashmir was
strengthened in all possible ways in order to tackle the ground situation.
UNI
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