South Asian Foreign Relations
"We believe in a foreign policy of self-confidence & dignity" - Indian Foreign Secretary Mr. Kanwal Sibal (2003)
We believe in a foreign policy of self-confidence & dignity: Sibal
by Rajeev Sharma & Gaurav Choudhury
Outgoing Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal
FOREIGN Secretary Kanwal Sibal who bows out of office on November 30 ,2003 leaves big shoes for his successor to step into. In the past couple of years, the world has stood by and watched with surprise Indian diplomacy spreading its wings and making its presence felt all over the globe. The Indian focus has been on economic diplomacy. In an exclusive interview to The Tribune, Sibal answered a vast array of questions. Excerpts:
Q: How do you look upon your 17-month long tenure as Foreign Secretary?
A: I look upon my tenure as Foreign Secretary with a great deal of satisfaction.
Q: What were the high and low points during your tenure?
A: There is no one particular high point. There have been many important developments during this period including the management of relations with the US, Pakistan and China, other neighbouring countries, terrorism and how we deal with this challenge to our national security. There is also Afghanistan which involves high stakes and our strategic opening up to Iran and Myanmar. With China, relations are developing very well. Special Representatives on both sides have been nominated to negotiate on the border issues. Our bilateral trade has increased phenomenally. We are creating significant instruments for ourselves in foreign policy terms. There were really no low points. It has been a series of crests.
Q: India’s relations with Pakistan swing from one extreme to another — Lahore bus journey, Kargil, Agra Summit and then attack on Parliament. Why is it so?
A: Dealing with Pakistan is not easy. It poses many challenges rooted in the division of India along religious lines, Pakistan’s claim to Jammu and Kashmir based on religion, of a country where the armed forces play an important role in political life, their support to terrorism. The extremist parties have gained political strength there. There is the madrasa problem. It is also a nuclear power. The swings are a varied response we make to these different challenges Pakistan poses.
Q: After the attack on Parliament, we were on verge of war with Pakistan. But things started to change from April 18 this year. What did we achieve from the troops mobilization?
A: The purpose of troops mobilisation was served. War is not an easy option. One should be able to take risk for peace. This is what April 18 signifies. One cannot be a statesman without taking risks for peace. The Prime Minister’s initiative towards Pakistan is demonstrative of the required political flexibility with which our leaders are dealing with Pakistan. You cannot have a one track approach in foreign policy. Relations with Pakistan are a complex diplomatic issue. There is no one single key to the problem. When we mobilised, the message did go through, and it still has relevance as it signifies that beyond a certain point, India cannot tolerate terrorism by Pakistan.
Q: Why are our leaders criticised for lacking in courage?
A: You can always fault a wise person for being too wise. No responsible leadership can be impulsive. One has to see the long term consequences.
Q: Pakistan recently accused India of using pressure tactics and delaying the confirmation of Mr. Vajpayee’s participation in the SAARC Summit to force a decision on civil aviation flights. Your comments?
A: If we are using pressure tactics it is in favour of peace!
Q: You had travelled with the Prime Minister all over the world. Has India’s image abroad undergone change?
A: Absolutely. First, the nuclear tests in 1998 showed our capacity to pursue an independent course in foreign policy. With the era of sanctions being virtually over, the world community will accept India’s de facto nuclear status. Secondly, India made strides in knowledge-driven industry and information technology. The fact that India can produce so many talented engineers has led many nations to take a fresh look at the quality of education imparted here. Third, India’s economic success in maintaining high levels of growth is another reason. From this flows all the initiatives for free trade agreements with different countries, including the ASEAN, Thailand, Singapore and countries in our neighbourhood. This activity has been noticed abroad and has been commented upon as the new dynamism in India’s foreign policy, which is based on India’s strength as a growing economic power. And finally, other countries commend the general dynamism in our foreign policy. The breadth of foreign policy initiatives has surprised many.
Q: It used to be said about India that the elephant is sleeping. Then it was said that the elephant is trying to get up. And now it is being said that the elephant has not just woken up, not just walking but jogging. Would you agree?
A: Yes. Don’t forget that the elephant can run at the speed of 35 km an hour!
Q: Will India acquire the superpower status by 2020 as President Kalam has visualised despite a host of drawbacks?
A: We will attain it. We are one billion people. We represent one-sixth of humanity. In 20 years time, more or less, nobody would be able to stop us. Look at the number of countries which have given us public support for our Permanent Membership to the UN Security Council.
Q: So the Government of India’s strategy seems to be to strengthen the economy and increase the country’s stature diplomatically and politically which would, in a way, strangulate Pakistan diplomatically and economically?
A: We would do a disservice to ourselves if we say that we are scoring points over Pakistan. It would be self-demeaning. We already have a tremendous edge over Pakistan. I believe strongly in a foreign policy of self-confidence and dignity based on a clear recognition that we are far stronger than we think. To be tough, demanding and unyielding in pursuit of national interest comes naturally to a country after it has passed through lot of vicissitudes. It is only in such a crucible that a certain kind of national spirit gets fired. Having gone through all the trails of the last 50 years, the time has come now to project ourselves properly with self-confidence. Our foreign policy today is reflective of this new sense of self-confidence.
"We believe in a foreign policy of self-confidence & dignity" - Indian Foreign Secretary Mr. Kanwal Sibal (2003)
We believe in a foreign policy of self-confidence & dignity: Sibal
by Rajeev Sharma & Gaurav Choudhury
Outgoing Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal
FOREIGN Secretary Kanwal Sibal who bows out of office on November 30 ,2003 leaves big shoes for his successor to step into. In the past couple of years, the world has stood by and watched with surprise Indian diplomacy spreading its wings and making its presence felt all over the globe. The Indian focus has been on economic diplomacy. In an exclusive interview to The Tribune, Sibal answered a vast array of questions. Excerpts:
Q: How do you look upon your 17-month long tenure as Foreign Secretary?
A: I look upon my tenure as Foreign Secretary with a great deal of satisfaction.
Q: What were the high and low points during your tenure?
A: There is no one particular high point. There have been many important developments during this period including the management of relations with the US, Pakistan and China, other neighbouring countries, terrorism and how we deal with this challenge to our national security. There is also Afghanistan which involves high stakes and our strategic opening up to Iran and Myanmar. With China, relations are developing very well. Special Representatives on both sides have been nominated to negotiate on the border issues. Our bilateral trade has increased phenomenally. We are creating significant instruments for ourselves in foreign policy terms. There were really no low points. It has been a series of crests.
Q: India’s relations with Pakistan swing from one extreme to another — Lahore bus journey, Kargil, Agra Summit and then attack on Parliament. Why is it so?
A: Dealing with Pakistan is not easy. It poses many challenges rooted in the division of India along religious lines, Pakistan’s claim to Jammu and Kashmir based on religion, of a country where the armed forces play an important role in political life, their support to terrorism. The extremist parties have gained political strength there. There is the madrasa problem. It is also a nuclear power. The swings are a varied response we make to these different challenges Pakistan poses.
Q: After the attack on Parliament, we were on verge of war with Pakistan. But things started to change from April 18 this year. What did we achieve from the troops mobilization?
A: The purpose of troops mobilisation was served. War is not an easy option. One should be able to take risk for peace. This is what April 18 signifies. One cannot be a statesman without taking risks for peace. The Prime Minister’s initiative towards Pakistan is demonstrative of the required political flexibility with which our leaders are dealing with Pakistan. You cannot have a one track approach in foreign policy. Relations with Pakistan are a complex diplomatic issue. There is no one single key to the problem. When we mobilised, the message did go through, and it still has relevance as it signifies that beyond a certain point, India cannot tolerate terrorism by Pakistan.
Q: Why are our leaders criticised for lacking in courage?
A: You can always fault a wise person for being too wise. No responsible leadership can be impulsive. One has to see the long term consequences.
Q: Pakistan recently accused India of using pressure tactics and delaying the confirmation of Mr. Vajpayee’s participation in the SAARC Summit to force a decision on civil aviation flights. Your comments?
A: If we are using pressure tactics it is in favour of peace!
Q: You had travelled with the Prime Minister all over the world. Has India’s image abroad undergone change?
A: Absolutely. First, the nuclear tests in 1998 showed our capacity to pursue an independent course in foreign policy. With the era of sanctions being virtually over, the world community will accept India’s de facto nuclear status. Secondly, India made strides in knowledge-driven industry and information technology. The fact that India can produce so many talented engineers has led many nations to take a fresh look at the quality of education imparted here. Third, India’s economic success in maintaining high levels of growth is another reason. From this flows all the initiatives for free trade agreements with different countries, including the ASEAN, Thailand, Singapore and countries in our neighbourhood. This activity has been noticed abroad and has been commented upon as the new dynamism in India’s foreign policy, which is based on India’s strength as a growing economic power. And finally, other countries commend the general dynamism in our foreign policy. The breadth of foreign policy initiatives has surprised many.
Q: It used to be said about India that the elephant is sleeping. Then it was said that the elephant is trying to get up. And now it is being said that the elephant has not just woken up, not just walking but jogging. Would you agree?
A: Yes. Don’t forget that the elephant can run at the speed of 35 km an hour!
Q: Will India acquire the superpower status by 2020 as President Kalam has visualised despite a host of drawbacks?
A: We will attain it. We are one billion people. We represent one-sixth of humanity. In 20 years time, more or less, nobody would be able to stop us. Look at the number of countries which have given us public support for our Permanent Membership to the UN Security Council.
Q: So the Government of India’s strategy seems to be to strengthen the economy and increase the country’s stature diplomatically and politically which would, in a way, strangulate Pakistan diplomatically and economically?
A: We would do a disservice to ourselves if we say that we are scoring points over Pakistan. It would be self-demeaning. We already have a tremendous edge over Pakistan. I believe strongly in a foreign policy of self-confidence and dignity based on a clear recognition that we are far stronger than we think. To be tough, demanding and unyielding in pursuit of national interest comes naturally to a country after it has passed through lot of vicissitudes. It is only in such a crucible that a certain kind of national spirit gets fired. Having gone through all the trails of the last 50 years, the time has come now to project ourselves properly with self-confidence. Our foreign policy today is reflective of this new sense of self-confidence.