January 13, 2002
New Delhi

Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, this is what I have to say in a prepared statement. I would be happy to answer such queries and clarifications as you might have.

QUESTION: Could you give some specific steps that you would expect as proof of their moving away …

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: It is after all only yesterday that the President Gen Musharraf sahab has announced the programme of intentions that Pakistan has. We understand that it will take sometime to be operationalised on the ground. But we do expect that it shall be operationalised. When it is operationalised, you want me to illustrate how it is operationalised. I have said earlier in the statement itself, for example, by stopping all infiltration across the line of control. India is the direct victim of such cross border terrorism which is promoted, and has been promoted all these years, from Pakistan. When you ask me, “Can you give me one example of what would India expect?”, well, here is one example. Let Pakistan operationalise what the President of Pakistan has announced. Let there be no further infiltration or cross border terrorism from across the line of control, from PoK, or any other part of Pakistan, northern areas of Pakistan; and certainly we will take full note of it. As the Prime Minister has repeatedly said, for every one step that Pakistan takes, we shall take two. Pakistan has just announced that it will take a step. We await its taking a step. Be assured, India will then not be found wanting.

QUESTION (NEW YORK TIMES): I have a brief addendum to one question and then I have another question. One is, how long will it take to see the results, if the General is sincere? How long will you wait for him to deliver? The second is, I am curious to know as to whether you would agree with this assessment and if so, how will you react on it. It seems that there would be a terrific incentive now to the Jehadi groups to try and sabotage whatever the General is doing - if he is indeed sincere - and try and start a war and spread trouble between India and Pakistan as the best way of heading off action against them. There are tremendous fears I know amongst Americans that this could spark a war and precipitate action by India and to hit back if there is another terrorist attack against it. How do you avoid being used by the Jehadis to sabotage peace?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: To the first part – “How much time?” - I would like to give all the due time for effective implementation of the announcements made by His Excellency Gen Pervez Musharraf. The reforms that he has cited or announced, for society, polity within Pakistan will of course take a great deal of time. That is, as I have said in my statement, really Pakistan’s internal matter. We welcome those steps inasmuch as they impinge upon and have a direct nexus to external relations. On the inherent dangers of many forces within Pakistan, currently operating there, or even those that have been expelled from Afghanistan but currently present in Pakistan –I here refer to the elements of Al Qaeda and Taliban that have found place in Pakistan after being expelled from Afghanistan – India is entirely mindful that such elements within Pakistan, who have taken shelter in Pakistan - it is not for me to say with or without the knowledge of the Government of Pakistan – will attempt to distract focus and attention from the global fight against terrorism. This too, what India is endeavouring to do, is also a part of that total global address against terrorism. We are mindful of this. We are mindful of the dangers. We are mindful of the attempts that might be made by many elements within Pakistan to destabilise the situation. We are alert also in that regard.

QUESTION (HINDUSTAN TIMES): There have been repeated instances over the years of Pakistan trying to kill bilateralism to promote third-party intervention in Kashmir. From yesterday’s statement of the Pakistan President it is more than obvious that while he seeks to delink that aspect which has given a bad name to the Kashmir movement, or Kashmir struggle or whatever he calls it, he has tried to restore the same old political content to which Pakistan has been committed since partition and projected it internationally while seeking third-party intervention. How does India react to this? What is your appraisal about this? Is there a possibility of a third-party intervention at all being accepted by India in the near future or in the distant future?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I have answered that. That Pakistan should endeavour to re-state its position is, of course, not unnatural. They will. Whether it is practical position? – No, it is not a practical position. Is it workable? – No, it is not workable. Does India accept it? – No, India does not accept it. Do we accept it in the near? - No, neither in the near, nor middle nor distant future.

QUESTION: Will President Musharraf’s speech in any way lessen the military tension on the borders between India and Pakistan?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I have answered this question. It was asked in Hindi a little earlier. The lessening of tensions on the borders is entirely dependent on the steps that are taken inside Pakistan to operationalise what has been stated by His Excellency Gen Pervez Musharraf. We have to go not by the stated intent, but by action on the ground.

QUESTION (AL-JAZEERA): Musharraf has said that he will not surrender any Pakistanis. Does India accept this?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I have said in my statement. When you read it again you will see. Incidentally, it is not ‘Mr.’ Musharraf. It is ‘General’ Musharraf. On Gen Musharraf’s statement that he does not wish to hand over any criminals because of their nationality, I am disappointed. A great many of that list of 20 criminals and terrorists are not Pakistanis. It is our expectation that action will follow in that regard.

QUESTION (STAR NEWS): If both sides have such perceptibly intractable positions about Kashmir, how do you think there is going to be a window for dialogue open at all?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I think only by what Prime Minister has said and which the General so kindly cited – ‘by shedding the excess baggage of history and by breaking new ground.’

QUESTION (STAR NEWS): How will you break new ground?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: By shedding excess baggage of history.

QUESTION (ALL INDIA RADIO): You have given a very cautious welcome to whatever Gen Musharraf has said yesterday. Is it because you don’t trust that he will take the steps which he has promised? Or is it that you think that the fundamentalist forces in Pakistan are so strong that he would not be allowed to take those steps?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: You have described what I have just announced as the Government’s position as cautious steps. I don’t think caution is bad policy. I would much rather be as a traveller that has travelled many of these padavs, many of these halts. From Lahore to Kargil, to Kandhar, to Kashmir, to Agra, to Kathmandu, I have travelled many miles in this endeavour. Therefore, I approach this journey, which will continue, cautiously, that is not unnatural.

QUESTION: Gen Musharraf has announced certain reforms in his own country in Masjids and Madarsas. Does the Government of India think that the same kind of reforms should also be introduced in India, as there has been a lot of reports by the Intelligence Bureau about various Madarsas indulging in the same kind of activities and working as the dens of the ISI.

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I have referred to the internal reforms that Gen Pervez Musharraf sahab has announced and I have welcomed them inasmuch as they have a relation with external events. I wish the people of Pakistan well in this movement towards reform. But you would appreciate that India has to take decisions about reforms within Indian society and polity including, as you say, the reforms that are necessary in regard to functioning of Madarsas and Masjids. That is entirely a decision that India has to take not in emulation of what Pakistan does or any other country does, but really quite independently by assessing inedpendently the requirements of India.

QUESTION: You have mentioned that there would not be any third-party mediation as Musharraf has said. With Advani in Washington and Colin Powell coming here this week, there is some third-party involvement, some kind. When Powell arrives, he is obviously concerned with the heightening of tension globally on South Asia. What kind of assurances are you going to give him? What will you be saying as a confidence-building measure? My follow up question is, as Zhu Rongji is also coming, will the Chinese expect to play any informal role in this kind of rapproachment between India and Pakistan? Do you actually see that the continuation of improved relations with China and specifically about …

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: First about the impending visit of the Secretary of State. Yes, he does arrive here next week. I think it is mid-week next week. I greatly look forward to his visit. Does this amount to third-party intervention because he is arriving here and my Home Minister is to night sleeping in the sleep of peace in New York, does it amount to? – No, it doesn’t amount to… Nations will be interested in what is happening globally. If, for example, an emissary from India goes to visit West Asia and calls upon Yasser Araft; or if Shimon Perez comes here; does it mean that we are interfering in their affairs, or intervening? It doesn’t mean that at all. I have had, for example, not only Colin Powell coming here, Zhu Rongji is due to reach Agra later today, if he is not already there. And later again I will have the Foreign Minister of Russia too arriving here. These are the normal processes of consultation between countries that must take place and continue to take place. As to what I will discuss with the Secretary of State, is really much better left to until when he arrives and I do discuss with him. On India-China relations I can assure you there is movement forward. You will see for yourself on Zhu Rongji’s visit that there will be significant further movement – economic, political and in other regards. A number of agreements are to be signed. China has neither any intention nor shall it play any mediatory role in matters which involve India and Pakistan. We know that China has a special relationship with Pakistan and that they have military equipment supply relationship also. Notwithstanding all this, India remains committed to improve its relations with China. There is progress in that regard and I am confident that there will be further progress on Zhu Rongji’s visit which actually formally starts tomorrow morning.

QUESTION (MIDDLE-EAST BROADCOASTING CORPORATION): Actually, Gen Musharraf said yesterday that terrorism has no place in the Kashmir cause while India always stated that in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere, terrorism is only because of the cross border terrorism. Now with the diplomatic offensive that India is going to undertake by sending missions all over the world, what is the Government’s position on a common ground? Is it terrorism? Is it freedom fighters? Could you please explain?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: The teams will be starting very shortly. That is being handled elsewhere and, so, I do not know the details. On terrorism, the Government of India’s position has not changed. It is Pakistan that has now – and we welcome this aspect of it – dropped the advocacy of cross border, or state-sponsored terrorism in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. We have welcomed this step. They have also dropped this notion of freedom fight is equalling of terrorism and its equation with terrorism. We have welcomed that too. We expect that these statements shall now translate themselves into action on the ground. That action, as in response to a question I said, really amounts to stopping any further promotion of infiltration or cross border terrorism in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in India.

QUESTION: The same page which carried Gen Musharraf’s statement today had a small item about shelling on the Kargil side of India. What do you read about that?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Well, I read shelling. It is. This is unfortunately, an extension of deliberately promoting instability through terrorism. I know that from the Pak-occupied part of Kashmir there has been heavier than normal shelling in Kargil in the last twenty-four hours, including on Kargil town. But that is not the norm and we hope that it will cease very shortly.

QUESTION: But that was happening when President Musharraf was making that speech.

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Yes, that is a part of the reality about Pakistan. That is what I mean by ‘we are awaiting to reduce the gap between the statement and action’.

QUESTION: If we conclude that India’s reaction to Musharraf’s speech is mixed… not very positive, would you contradict with us?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: In fact, it is an extremely hazardous exercise to contradict journalists and what they decide to say. You are absolutely free to decide what you wish to decide. But as to what India has arrived at by way of reaction is what I have given. If you want to call it mixed, that is your choice, not mine. By your suggesting that I should agree with you when you call it mixed, please… I don’t want to. I don’t want to even comment upon it.

QUESTION: In the last week of December, you had announced some steps against Pakistan which amount to, let me say, punitive steps which are hurting Pakistan’s economy in a fundamental way.

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Like?

QUESTION: For instance, PIA’s bottomline was anyway suspect with all these different routes PIA flights will have to take. You must have seen reports about two Pakistani children who urgently need heart surgery in Bangalore. What kind of a message would India send out at this stage when Pakistan is at least making postures about reforming?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I have just answered that - please move from postures to action. You have yourself said Pakistan is making postures. That is your phrase. All that I am saying is, ‘from postures, move to action’.

QUESTION: Would you say that the indication that Pakistan is translating its words into action would be a lowering of violence in Jammu and Kashmir in the next few days?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: There are some clear indices - I cite in response to a question - curbing and eliminating cross border terrorism and promoting infiltration across the LoC. It is visible on a daily basis. It will have an immediate impact, whether it is international border, or line of control, or any of the sectors that we are referring to, whether it is 16 Corps, 15 Corps. There is not much of it in 14 Corps.

QUESTION: Since Gen Pervez Musharraf has almost declined to hand over the 20 persons whose list Indian Government has submitted, what does the Government of India intend to do further on that matter? How would the Government of India want to pursue the matter?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: I have for one, in my statement, when you get a copy of it you will see it, expressed hope that…

QUESTION: Just hope?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Yes, we continue to hope – that Pakistan will readdress this question. After all, a good 14 or 15 of them are criminals of Indian nationality. They are not Pakistani citizens. It is my expectation that Pakistan might re-examine this question and re-address it more purposefully. We will continue to emphasise upon Pakistan the importance of this aspect.

QUESTION (TIMES OF INDIA): Mr. Singh, you have said that it is Pakistan that has dropped advocacy of state-sponsored terrorism. Pervez Musharraf has also said yesterday that he does not want Pakistanis to go fight battles in third countries. Insofar as it is a declared intent, do you see this as a major shift of Pakistan’s policy?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Yes, in the declaration of it, it is a major shift and we have welcomed it in the statement. What I have said is that between the declaration of intent and the implementation of what you have declared, let there be the least possible time and let there be the least possible gap. The earlier it is implemented, the earlier both India and Pakistan can move towards - what I have also said in the statement – engaging in purposeful dialogue on all issues including on Jammu and Kashmir. But we do wish to see the results of what is stated as action on the ground.

QUESTION (DOORDARSHAN): Did you, since yesterday after Gen Musharraf’s speech, have any talk with Gen Powell or; has there been any talk between USA and Government of India at any level besides Mr. Advani being there?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Yes. For example, I have spoken to Gen Colin Powell. If I am not mistaken I spoke to him when he called me earlier this morning. I have also been in touch with my Russian counterpart. But then, there are time differences in all that. These are routine consultations between Foreign Ministers that continue… sometime more often, and sometimes less often.

QUESTION: As you yourself have indicated in your statement, there are other Kashmiri militants based in Pakistan-controlled …

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Let me correct this please. I am sorry I interrupted you. It has been, for example, put across by some television channels that JeM and LeT are Kashmiri organisations. They are not at all Kashmiri organisations. They are in fact Pakistani organisations. They are rooted in Pakistan. Their bases are in Pakistan and they have adopted the furthering of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. I have not said ‘Kashmiri organisations’. I have said, ‘organisations in Pakistan that are committed to spreading terror in Jammu and Kashmir’. There is a very important difference here and that difference must please be noted.

QUESTION: But I am referring to the organisation which Gen Musharraf did not mention by name and which are well-known and based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. If those organisations continue to operate, but there is no evidence that they are infiltrating across the line of control, is that acceptable?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: It is not a question of my acceptance. My acceptance or rejection will follow, for example, Gen Pervez Musharraf has said repeatedly and emphatically that the writ of the State of Pakistan must run, it must not be defied or violated. If these terrorist organisations continue to operate in any part of Pakistan including in Pak-occupied Kashmir despite what Gen Pervez Musharraf has said, then before I begin even to be satisfied or dissatisfied, they are directly wide of violating or defying the instructions of the President of Pakistan and defying exactly what he has said that the writ of the State of Pakistan, Government of Pakistan must run.

QUESTION: I know you are not in the business of speculation. Will you please tell us whether the so-called historical speech of Gen. Musharraf was because of the steps taken by India along the border? Or do you want to give the Americans any credit for that?

SHRI JASWANT SINGH: Speculation. It is all really in the realm of speculation. No matter what has impelled Gen Pervez Musharraf, His Excellency, to make that statement and announce all the various measures that he has announced – what is welcomeable there, we have welcomed; what is actionable there, we will act upon; what is not welcomeable, we will continue to encourage our neighbour in Pakistan to move in that direction. What we do not find as acceptable, we reject. That is what I have done in my statement. India’s position is very clear. Let me reiterate, ladies and gentlemen, as Prime Minister has said, we are committed to dialogue; we are committed to resolving all issues bilaterally, all issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. We will address it purposefully and in a time-bound manner. We are waiting for what the General, His Excellency, has stated to be translated into action. As soon as we are able to assess that the action is now warranting on further steps to be taken, be assured, for every one step that Pakistan takes, India will take two.

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.