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Narayanan's 10-day European tour brings significant success

G Ranganathan in Luxembourg

President K R Narayanan today concluded his 10-day European tour with a significant success in the diplomatic arena and bilateral trade relations.

Though the nuclear issue overshadowed his German visit, it was at Luxembourg that Narayanan's quiet diplomacy paid rich dividends when Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claube Juncker yesterday extended his country's unqualified support to the Indian claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and also opposed any economic embargo against India.

Though Juncker had suo moto expressed his country's support to India's claim for a Security Council seat last year itself, his reiteration of the same and declaring that his country was against economic sanctions against India in the wake of nuclear tests is considered a significant diplomatic gain for New Delhi.

Luxembourg, though a small country, is an influential member of the European Union.

During his four-day visit to Germany, Narayanan explained at length the national security concerns that necessitated the Indian nuclear experiments. He also told German leaders like Chancellor Helmut Kohl that India was ready for a non-discriminatory global nuclear disarmament regime.

Though Germany urged India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, there was no pressure on India on any issue, official sources said.

Though the nuclear issue figured during Narayanan's visit to Germany and Luxembourg, it was bilateral economic relations that took the priority in his discussions with the Portuguese leaders during his three-day state visit to that country.

A convention for avoiding double taxation was also signed between India and Portugal, paving the way for further strengthening of trade relations between the two countries.

UNI

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