The Tribune – Will miss meetings with Khar: S M Krishna

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 27. Having resigned as the External Affairs Minister ahead of the Cabinet reshuffle, S M Krishna may have no regrets but he will perhaps miss his regular meetings with Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar which did help in reducing tension and keeping on the track the process of normalisation between the two South Asian neighbours.

At an informal interaction with the media at his residence this morning, the 80-year-old veteran politician acknowledged that he had established a ‘good understanding’ with glamorous Khar, who is some 45 years younger to him.

Krishna noted that he had undertaken two trips to Pakistan (in July 2010 and September 2012) while Khar visited India in July 2011. The meetings between the two leaders helped improve the relationship between India and Pakistan, he added. The two had also held talks on a few occasions on the margins of international meets in different countries.

According to Krishna, the other foreign ministers with whom he was able to build a close rapport during his stewardship of the External Affairs Ministry in the past three-and-a-half years were Yang Jiechi (China), Antonio de Aguiar Patriota (Brazil) and Maiti Nkoana-Mashabane (South Africa) and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “I had a good equation with Hillary Clinton…anyway she is also laying down office,’’ he remarked with a broad smile.

Having held almost all coveted positions a politician actually dreams of, Krishna appears set to return to his home state of Karnataka to gear up the Congress party machinery for the Assembly elections in the state next year. His aides dismissed reports in the media that he might take over as the chief of the 14th Finance Commission.

Claiming that he was leaving his office with a great sense of contentment, he said it was ‘time up’ for him to make way for younger blood. “…The flavour of the season is that youngsters must take over the reins of responsibility and I felt that it was time up for me to make way for younger blood to take over. I am glad that this initiative has been by and large appreciated,” he said.

On whether he quit on his own or was asked to resign, Krishna said, “The decision came from within. And my wife had a major role to play in the decision making.”

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121028/main3.htm

The Hindu – I’m sure Pakistan won’t fail to take note of verdict: Krishna

After Indian official sources pointed to the slow pace of prosecuting 26/11 masterminds

Special Correspondent

Tehran, 30 August 2012. On a day the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence on Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman in the Mumbai attacks, Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan, here to attend the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, expressed their views on the issue of prosecuting the masterminds of the 2008 massacre.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, when asked for his reaction, said: “I am sure Pakistan will not fail to take note of this” and added that he was sure the judiciary in Pakistan was similarly active. Mr. Krishna’s observations follow Indian official sources saying on Tuesday that the slow pace of prosecuting the Pakistani masterminds of the Mumbai attacks showed there was a “serious difference in how the Indian state reacts and how the Pakistani state fails to react.”

Hina Khar optimistic

Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar prefaced her comments by expressing optimism about possible talks on Thursday between Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the NAM Summit here.

“We are moving out of the trust deficit zone, and that is a pre-requisite for us to be able to really sit on the negotiating table and solve most important issues,” she told newspersons.

On Pakistan acting against the masterminds of the Mumbai attacks, Ms. Khar said: “Recently, the Pakistani High Commissioner in India had clearly articulated what the requirements are to move forward in that.

“Both India and Pakistan need to tackle their disputes and other issues in a more mature manner, so that they don’t continue to haunt the two countries and their governments,” she added.

“We’ve to move beyond”

But perhaps basing her comments entirely on reports by a section of the Indian media which put the entire blame for SMS and web images at Pakistan’s door for creating panic among people of the northeast working elsewhere in India, she said: “I think simply that we need to really find a more mature way to be able to handle all of these issues because they will continue to haunt us.”

“So, I am, in my position, very disappointed every time something reaches Pakistan through the media, because we believe that we have been able to invest in this relationship enough to expect a call from any counterpart if any such concern, suspicion arises. Because we have to move beyond this. You know, really, giving more fuel to a hostility type of narrative in each other’s media, I think, your media, really needs to become more positive,” she added.

But the official Indian reaction has been otherwise. Official sources have said the issue would not be raised in Thursday’s meeting as it was not a state-to-state issue. The answer lay in keeping a tab on web trends as the images had started circulating a week before panic set in leading to people from the northeast working and studying in some parts of the country, rushing back to their home States.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3836930.ece

The Tribune – Government nod to FDI from Pakistan; Finance Ministry okays proposal; Move to alter economic ties between the two countries

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 1. India today announced its decision to allow FDI from Pakistan in a move that is expected to radically change the dynamics of economic ties between the two countries.

It has been decided to permit a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan to make investments in India under the government route in sectors/activities other than defence, space and atomic energy, an official statement by New Delhi said.

In order to address the security concerns, FDI proposals from Pakistan are likely to be routed through the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). The government had earlier allowed investments from Bangladesh under the FIPB route.

The Commerce Ministry had sometime back sent a proposal in this regard to the Finance Ministry which has okayed it after carefully examining the issue.

The business community of Pakistan had been pleading with India for quite some time to amend the rules and allow it to invest in India. However, the proposal had been drawing stiff opposition from hardliners in India, especially because of security issues.

Pakistan does not have any restriction on allowing Indian investments. However, there have been no investments from India in Pakistan.

The first indication about India permitting Pakistani investments was given by Commerce Minister Anand Sharma during his visit to Pakistan in February.

New Delhi’s move on FDI from Pakistan is seen as a major confidence building measure (CBM) between the two countries ahead of External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s visit to Islamabad in September for talks with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar to review the progress in the dialogue process.

Pakistan, on its part, has also started taking measure to liberalise trade with India. It has drastically cut down the ‘negative list’ of items for trade with India, paving the way for granting the most favoured nation (MFN) status to India by the end of the year.

Ever since the two countries resumed the dialogue process in February last year, they have been taking steps to promote business and economic links. India had opened an additional check post at the Attari-Wagah border in April to permit the flow of more trucks carrying goods from Pakistan. A number of more cross LoC-CBMs in the field of trade are also on anvil between the two countries.

In fact, a liberalised visa agreement between India and Pakistan, which will facilitate easy travel for businessmen of the two countries, is lying ready for signature. Indications are that it would be inked when Krishna visits Pakistan.

Notwithstanding the dividends of trade for the two countries, India wants Pakistan to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack. New Delhi is of the view that relations between the two countries can never become normal until Pakistan was seen to be taking steps to check the activities of anti-India elements operating from its soil.

Meanwhile, the business community in India welcomed the decision to allow FDI from Pakistan. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, president SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), described it as one of the strongest CBMs to improve bilateral relations. FIEO chief adviser Jagmohan Bhanot said India’s move would promote trade and economic ties with Pakistan.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120802/main1.htm

BBC News – India-US talks held to deepen trade and security

Thursday 14 June 2012. India and the US have held talks to deepen defence trade and co-operation in maritime and cyber security.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna met for their annual strategic dialogue in Washington on Wednesday.

The two discussed issues ranging from Afghanistan and Pakistan to counter-terrorism and women’s empowerment.

The talks were held days after the US exempted India from sanctions in return for cutting imports of Iranian oil.

After Wednesday’s talks, Mrs Clinton spoke about a “closer convergence” of strategic interests between the US and India.

She welcomed the progress made in the US efforts to invest in India’s civilian nuclear industry.

Mr Krishna said India planned to invest $1 trillion in infrastructure over the next five years, offering enormous business opportunities to US companies.

“India and US support the growing emphasis on defence technology transfers and co-development and co-production in our expanding defence relationship,” he said.

Correspondents say defence is now a key area of cooperation, with India signing more than $9bn in defence trade contracts with the US.

Trade has grown from $9bn in 1995 to $100bn this year.

But there are areas of concern – the US wants India to allow greater access to American firms, and a landmark nuclear deal has not delivered the lucrative contracts it promised to.

Over the past few months, a number of senior members of the US administration have visited Delhi, including Mrs Clinton and Defence Secretary Leon Panetta.

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is expected in the Indian capital at the end of June.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-18437236

The Tribune – India-US strategic dialogue on June 13

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 8. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is leaving here next week for Washington to co-chair with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the third India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue to be held on June 13.

However, what has raised many an eyebrow is the fact that from Washington, Krishna will travel to Cuba, a country considered a continental and ideological rival of the US.

Asked if there was no contradiction in clubbing the minister’s visits to the US and Cuba, MEA spokesman Syed Akbaruddin shot back: ”Why should there be any issue” on this score.

During the India-US strategic dialogue, the focus will obviously be on all aspects of the multifaceted bilateral relationship. The first such dialogue was held in the American capital in June 2010 while the second round was held in New Delhi in July last year.

The dialogue forum is considered the principal platform to bring the different strands of the broad-based and diverse agenda of bilateral engagement and pursue the vision of India-U.S. Global Strategic Partnership, outlined by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama.

Krishna will be accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Prime Minister’s Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation Advisor Sam Pitroda, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath, Minister of State for Planning, Science & Technology Ashwini Kumar, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, Home Secretary R.K.Singh and Director of Intelligence Bureau Nehchal Sandhu, among others. Secretary Clinton will be joined by her ministerial colleagues and senior officials.

Krishna will also deliver the keynote address at the Annual Summit of the U.S.-India Business Council on June 12. There will be several dialogues on the margins of and preceding the strategic dialogue. Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal will chair the higher education dialogue with Secretary Clinton on June 12. He will also co-chair the joint science and technology commission meeting with Dr. John Holdren, President Obama’s Advisor on Science and Technology.

The Foreign Minister will have a restricted meeting with Secretary Clinton on June 13 before they chair the plenary session of the dialogue, which will have discussions on five themes: strategic, defence, homeland security, counter-terrorism and Intelligence; economic, energy, climate; Science and technology, innovation and health; higher education and empowerment and regional strategies and linkages.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120609/main4.htm

The Tribune – Kabul seeks Indian equipment for its security forces

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi , May 1. Afghanistan today sought India’s assistance in not only training its security forces but also equipping them under the strategic partnership agreement so that they were in a position to defend the trouble-torn nation after international forces withdraw from there by the end of 2014.

This was conveyed by Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna at the inaugural session of the India-Afghanistan Partnership Council, which formally set in motion the implementation of the strategic partnership pact signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in October last year.

Expanding security and counter-terror cooperation figured prominently in the talks. Issues relating to the safety of nearly 4,000 Indians living in that country and the security of Indian missions and facilities also figured prominently.

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Krishna responded favourably to his Afghan counterpart’s suggestion, saying New Delhi had always been unwavering its commitment to assist the people of Afghanistan in their endeavour to build a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous country.

“Let me assure you that while it is a time of change and transformation in the region, India ’s commitment to Afghanistan is neither transitory nor in transition…India’s security is intertwined with that of Afghanistan’s stability,” he told Rassoul.

The visiting minister also called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who hoped the strategic partnership between the two countries would be further strengthened in the critical period ahead.

Krishna said India was hopeful that by the time the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and American forces pull out of Afghanistan , the Afghan security forces would be in a position to protect the sovereignty of their nation.

On the process of reconciliation with the Taliban, the Afghan minister said the Afghan government was not looking at the military aspect of dealing with the situation in the country alone but also at the political side in keeping with the decision taken by the Loya Jirga-the governing council of tribal leaders. Talks would be held only with those among the Taliban who respect the Afghan Constitution and recognise the gains made by the country in different areas during the last 10 years of conflict.

On his part, Krishna reminded his Afghan opposite number of the need to adhere to the red lines drawn by the international community for negotiations with the Taliban. The process of reconciliation must be Afghan-led, inclusive and transparent.

Talks should be held only with those who snap links with the militia and promise to abide by the constitution. Afghanistan must be prevented from sliding back to safe haven for terrorists and extremist groups, he added.

On the fears expressed by IAF chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne that the Taliban or other such groups might shift close to the Indian border with Pakistan at Wagah if the situation deteriorated after the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, Krishna said India was always monitoring developments at its borders.

“We keep a close watch on the situation and take steps to check infiltration by the Taliban or others.’’

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120502/main3.htm

The Tribune – Harsimrat takes up turban issue in Parliament

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 25. India continues to pursue with France the issue of the country banning turban in schools, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said today.

Replying to a written question given by Harsimrat Kaur Badal (SAD) in the Lok Sabha, he said: “ Our embassy in Paris is in regular touch with the French Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry.’’ He said it had been clarified to France that New Delhi’s intention was to seek a practical solution to the problem that involved the sensitivity of a minority community in India.

Krishna said the government was aware that the French law contained a provision prohibiting “symbols and clothes which involve ostentatious display of religion’’ and as a result turban was not allowed to be worn in public schools.

The issue had been raised with the French Government regularly, including at the highest level by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in September 2008. Krishna said he, too, had raised the issue with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe in October last year.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120426/punjab.htm#8

The Tribune – Fishermen’s Killing; India, Italy stick to their stand on jurisdiction

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 28. India and Italy today failed to resolve their differences over who should probe the killings of two Indian fishermen by Italian marines off the Kerala coast earlier this month.

The two countries, however, pledged not to allow the incident to cast a shadow on bilateral ties. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna held wide-ranging talks here this afternoon with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant’ Agata.

However, the February 15 incident in which the two Indian fishermen were killed is understood to have dominated the talks.

Addressing a joint press conference after their meeting, the two ministers were quite forthright in restating the positions of their respective countries. Italy is insisting that the incident should be tried according to international laws since it took place in international waters. India, however, maintains that since the incident involved an Indian vessel and those killed were Indian nationals, the two Italians would be tried under Indian laws.

“We met in the backdrop of an unfortunate incident involving the death of two Indian fishermen and the subsequent detention of two Italian navy personnel. There is strong public opinion on both sides,” Krishna said. He said the Italian minister had agreed that their two countries ‘need to clear the air’ so that their people were reassured of their will and commitment to strengthen the bilateral partnership.

Krishna said the relations between the two countries were mature and based on strong foundations. The Italian minister, who was here on a visit planned much before the February 15 incident, regretted the deaths but underlined that there were differences between the two countries over the jurisdiction issue. “I have explained frankly the position of our government on the legal aspect. International laws should try the Italian men. There is difference of opinion on this and it has not been resolved,” he said.

The Italian minister is also going to Kerala to meet the families of the two fishermen. He is also likely to meet Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna today thanked his Italian counterpart for assuring his personal attention to alleviate the difficulties being faced by members of the Sikh community in Italy. There have been reports of Sikhs being asked to remove their turbans at the security check at the Italian airports.

- Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant’ Agata regretted the deaths but underlined that there were differences between the two countries over the jurisdiction issue

- Agata said his government’s position is clear on the legal aspect. “International laws should try the Italian men. There is difference of opinion on this and it has not been resolved,” he said

- The Italian minister is going to Kerala to meet the families of the two fishermen

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120229/main6.htm

The Tribune – Tibet part of China, reiterates India

Both countries vow to put contentious issues on the backburner, step up ties

Ashok Tuteja from Beijing

India on Wednesday reassured Beijing that it considered Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) as part of China and clarified that New Delhi does not allow ‘any force’ to use the Indian soil to carry out anti-China activities.

Against the backdrop of certain unsavoury developments in bilateral ties, the two countries also pledged to put contentious issues on the backburner and give momentum to people-to-people contacts and trade and economic relations in 2012.

Shaken by a series of self-immolations committed by Tibetan monks and nuns to protest Beijing’s policies in the recent months, top Chinese leaders are understood to have raised the Tibetan issue during meetings with visiting External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.

Addressing a press conference, Krishna confirmed that the Tibetan issue figured during the talks. He said he reiterated India’s position on TAR and told the Chinese leaders that New Delhi was dealing with the internal affairs of China accordingly.

”Hence, we have to be very cautious (on the Tibetan issue) and any help we can render, we are too willing to provide it. But I don’t think that situation will arise.”

A press release issued by the Chinese Government said Beijing appreciated the firm support of New Delhi over the Tibetan issue.

China believes that exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has been fuelling revival of the Tibetan movement from his abode in Dharamshala and has often in the past drawn India’s attention towards its concern.

Asked if increasing Chinese activities in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) figured during his talks, the minister said the issue has generally been raised by India with the Chinese. India, he said, has already conveyed to Beijing in unequivocal terms that Pakistan was illegally occupying certain territories of Jammu and Kashmir.

Krishna, who was here primarily to formally inaugurate the new building of the Indian Embassy, held meetings, among others, with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, State Councillor Dai Bingguo (who is China’s Special Representative for boundary talks with India) and Zhou Yongkang, who is a powerful member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China and deals with the security related issues.

The meeting between Krishna and his Chinese counterpart particularly was cordial. ”Warm welcome to Beijing, I am glad to see you,” Yang said as he received the Indian minister with a warm handshake. Krishna reciprocated the gesture, saying ”even though the temperature outside is cold, the kind of warmth and goodwill I have received is heart warming.”

Yang announced that Chinese President Hu Jintao would visit India in March end for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit to be hosted by New Delhi. The Chinese minister might himself visit New Delhi prior to his President’s visit.

Underlining the importance of trade relations between the two countries, Yang said the two-way trade has already reached $ 74 billion and the two countries were poised to achieve the target of $ 100 billion by 2015. Krishna said steps must be taken to reduce the yawning gap in two-way trade.

He also told Yang that while the two countries should work to resolve outstanding issues, they should not be allowed to adversely affect ties in other areas.

He said representatives under the border mechanism set up by the two countries would meet at an early date. Asked if China raised the status of Arunachal Pradesh during today’s talks, he skirted the issue, saying Special Representatives of the two countries were dealing with the border dispute. ”We should better leave the boundary issue to the Special Representatives who have been mandated to come to an agreement.” The two countries decided to celebrate 2012 as the ‘Year of India-China Friendship and Cooperation.”

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120209/main1.htm

The Tribune – Remark on Golden Temple by TV host flayed

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 23. India today took exception to the remark on the Golden Temple by American television host Jay Leno and asked its envoy to the US to immediately take up the issue with the authorities concerned.

Leno, the host of The Tonight Show on NBC channel, flashed a picture of the Golden Temple in Amritsar on his programme and termed it as a possible summer home of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao was being instructed to take up the matter with the US authorities.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120124/punjab.htm#12