Interview with the Minister of External Affairs
Mr. Jaswant Singh

Mr. Jaswant Singh, Chief of Indian Diplomacy praised the relations between Algiers and New Delhi and underlined the promising co-operation horizons between them on bilateral and international levels. In his interview with El-Khabar, he emphasised that the Indian Government does not consider the parties that encourage terrorism and refuse to discuss with them. He addressed a message to Pakistan saying that encouraging violence and terrorist actions does not serve any side. 

Q: What are your impressions after the first visit of its kind you paid to Algeria and what is the reason for the absence of visits between the two countries during the last decade? 

A: Its true that this is my first visit to Algeria but I want you to know that it wont be, God Willing, the last. The exchanges between Algeria and India have not yet reached the expected level and we have an important work to achieve on questions and issues of common mutual interests. The present circumstances present us a chance to consolidate co-operation and intensify relations between the two governments and people of Algeria and India. Indian and Algerian people have longstanding friendly relations and their present wish to promote the bilateral co-operation relations, represents a new chapter in the long course of our friendly relations characterised by exchange of high officials visits between both countries and the latest visit by Indian Minister of Commerce to Algeria last June. 

Q: Were any investment agreements concluded during your visit to Algeria or did you find out any investments opportunities that the Algerian Economy provides and are their any projects in this field? 

A: Yes, we have discussed the question of investments and there are real possibilities to consolidate the co-operation in this field, Algeria is now in the phase of getting out from a centralised and planned economy and changing to a State based on market economy and private companies. We decided to co-operate in many sectors and enhance private businessmen to work together in the small and medium enterprises, pharmaceuticals industries, infrastructures like energy, hydrocarbons industries in addition to transport and telecommunication sectors as well as other fields. As for investments contracts, no contract have been signed so far because there are details that needed to be known. The work will start later. 

Q: Indian Government always refused to grant Kashmiri people the right of self-determination, what are the reasons? 

A: Let me first of all explain you an important thing that the question is not of self-determination. The state is an integral part of the country, and its complete name is not Kashmir but Jammu & Kashmir. It is not question of self determination or so. From 1948 till now seven elections were organised in the State of Jammu & Kashmir to elect members of State legislature and members of central Parliament. For instance, Indian Minister of Commerce Mr. Omar Abdullah who visited Algeria in June 2000, was a member of the government and representative of Jammu Kashmir State in the Parliament. On the other hand, people of this State participated in at least 11general elections during the last fifty years. The utmost importance nowadays is to stop encouragement of the violation of Indian territorial integrity. And we must also stop killing innocents, women and children in Kashmir. One factor to be pointed out is that the Indian central government should grant more liberty to the States and local Administrations. 

Q:You have organised recently negotiations with Hizbul Mudjahedin, one of the active armed parties and groups in Jamu Kashmir. But these later were frozen, why? And what is the role of Pakistan in the conflict of Kashmir? 

A: You must be aware that the parties that encourage terrorism are not taken in consideration. It should also be clear that we have always refused to talk to them. Consolidation of peace has actually started. It is developing and there is important work to achieve. Children are called to go to school and it is necessary to provide people with employment. People desire normal life far from killings and violence, and Indian government always strives to encourage the consolidation of peace and securitv and activate the role of civil society. On the other hand, Pakistan should reconcile with its history and geography and realise that encouraging violence and perpetrating terrorist actions will not serve any of the two sides. 

Q: India is one of the countries, which refused to sign the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, could you remind its about your country's stand in this regard? And what are the conditions for your signing this convention? 

A: There is a difference between Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. As far as the first is concerned, it was enforced in 1970 and India has a crystal clear stand on this matter for the last 30 years. In spite of our readiness to sign it, we refuse this since we think its creates a discriminatory and artificial system in the world because of the double and unbalanced view in dealing with the question of nuclear explosions and the nuclear armament proliferation ban. 
As for CTBT it comprises nuclear test explosions only and aims to define and develop nuclear tests and explosions. But since 1995 and in spite of the broadening of the zone of the convention, the situation remains standstill and nuclear tests and explosions continued regardless of the Article 6 of nuclear armaments proliferation ban convention that called nuclear countries to reduce their arsenal in this field. On this basis, we consider that the convention holds a discriminatory feature principally because of its non respect by nuclear power countries. 

Q: Pakistan on its part refuses to ratify the nuclear armaments proliferation ban convention and lays down the condition that India undertake to ratify it, for it to join this convention. Don't you think that this will affect the nuclear peace not only in the region but also in the world? 

A: I will answer your question in two parts: first of all, the use of nuclear energy is for peaceful purposes through an agreement between India and Russia. Secondly, concerning the Indian nuclear program, which was not, is not and will not be focused against Pakistan. 

Q: The situation in the Middle East reaches a dead lock, how do you react to the Israeli attacks against Palestinians and Muslims holy sites? And what is the stand of India about the situation in the region and peace and war horizons? 

A: I visited Gaza recently ... India was one of the first countries that recognised the Palestinian State and expressed its support to Palestinian people, and so far we have the same position and we express our support to the rights of Palestinian people for a State with internationally recognised borders. And we expressed our concerns on the prevailing situation in the Middle East and the exacerbation of violence and that civilians especially children are targeted. In this regard we support all international resolutions particularly the Geneva convention on the protection of civilians. 

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