Principal Secretary to PM 
Brajesh Mishra
on PM Vajpayee's US visit 
beginning September 07, 2000

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Harish Gupta
The Indian Express
06 September 2000

Sanctions may not be lifted, a breakthrough in Indo-Pak ties is not likely. But the Prime Minister's US-visit beginning Thursday is part of the "consolidation process" that began with President Clinton's visit, said the PM's Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra, speaking to Harish Gupta on a range of issues. Excerpts: 

What is the single most important achievement you expect from the Prime Minister's visit to the USA? 

WE are not going there for a single achievement. We are going. there for a consolidation process that began in March. This consolidation has to be in several fields - India's place in the international arena, Asia, economic co-operation, science and technology between the two countries. And, of course, the question of cross-border terrorism will be raised by us. 

This visit is being seen as a gesture reciprocating Clinton's visit. Do you expect anything in concrete terms?

I don't think we should look at Clinton's visit to India merely as part of creating an atmosphere. There were some policy considerations behind his visit and those considerations are still valid. So there maybe... after this (Clinton) administration... a Democrat or a Republican as the next President but the India policy would continue. 

So US. policy will be unchanged whatever the poll outcome?

Yes, the US policy has bi-partisan support. The PM will be meeting the India Caucus in Washington which is a joint forum of both Republicans and Democrats.

What about the US statement that the will of the Kashmiri people must be taken into account for resolving the dispute? 

It is not a new formulation that has been used by the United States. This formulation is seen for the last 5-6 years. They say there must be an agreement between India and Pakistan and they must take into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

What is your response? 

We say that the wishes of the Kashmiri people have already been taken into account. The trouble today is that of cross-border terrorism. The infiltration either from Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir into India has been the bone of contention. This is the core issue. What the USA, European Union and the rest of the world is saying is that there must be a dialogue between India and Pakistan. But Pakistan must create an atmosphere for that dialogue. 

Do you see the emergence of such an atmosphere during the next few weeks? 

Honestly, I cannot answer it in either yes or no. All I can say is that so far there is no evidence that General Musharraf is either able or willing to put an end to this cross-border terrorism. It is not as if we are not prepared to talk to Pakistan. But the real cause of problem is cross-border terrorism... The focus of the visit will be on Indo-US relations. 

But there is no lifting of sanctions, no concessions.

We have not heard anything about it. We are not going to ask or plead for lifting of the sanctions. But we are certainly going to say that the full potential of Indo-US relations cannot be realised if the sanctions are in place. And it is not in the interest of the either country that sanctions continue. 

So in concrete terms what has Clinton done for us?

One can say that through his visit India is more visible on the radar of the USA. 

What are the prospects of the PM meeting George Bush Jr?

I doubt whether there will be a meeting between the PM and Bush. We were for it. But since the visit to US has been cut short and San Francisco leg is off, it has become difficult to work this out. But let me make it clear that the Republicans' India policy is also going to be the same. You can see their policy statement.