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Jaswant Singh to hold crucial talks with EU

Ranvir Nayar in Paris

External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh arrives in Helsinki on Friday for a crucial meeting with the leaders of the European Union.

Singh will meet with his counterpart in the European Commission, Chris Patten, responsible for the external affairs of the EC, and the Finnish foreign minister, who will represent Finland, which currently holds the presidency of the EU.

The so-called Troika meeting is an annual event, which is held alternatively in New Delhi and the European Union. This is the highest level of exchange between the two sides and hence the most crucial for determining the future direction of bilateral ties as well discussing international and regional affairs.

Developments in Pakistan will dominate the agenda when the Troika meeting is held in the Finnish capital.

Patten is expected to brief Singh about the outcome of the visit of the special delegation sent by the Finnish government to Islamabad earlier this month to meet with General Pervez Musharraf and to convey to him a strong message that the European Union was keenly awaiting a fixed and reasonable timetable for the restoration of democracy.

Though Musharraf has mooted the idea of seeking legitimacy by holding a plebiscite about his government, this has not cut much ice with the Europeans and they are expected to convey the same to Singh during the meeting.

India has been concerned over the apparently soft approach of the Western countries especially the United States and the EU which have so far held back any strong retaliatory measures against the Pakistan government.

But Patten could also use the opportunity to ask India to reciprocate the general's ''peace initiatives'' of withdrawing the Pakistan army from the international borders, a position that India has repeatedly called a sham, since the withdrawal does not include the Line of Control in Kashmir, which is the sole flashpoint between the two militaries.

He may also bring up international strategic issues like the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and renew the EU call for India to sign and ratify the treaty.

In the Helsinki meeting, Singh is also expected to brief Patten about India's position on the issue. Also on the agenda for the meeting will be bilateral issues of cooperation and trade-related issues between India and the EU.

Singh is also expected to renew his invitation to Patten, who has already indicated his high interest in visiting India as soon as possible.

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