India wins over Turkey

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI, APRIL. 1. India has won a new political partner in West Asia. High level consultations here with the visiting Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Bulent Ecevit, have helped consolidate India's burgeoning ties with a large Islamic nation at the cross roads of Europe, West Asia and Central Asia.

Reaffirming their common commitment to secularism, democracy and rule of law, India and Turkey have resolved to intensify their cooperation in the war against international terrorism.

The joint statement to be issued tomorrow at the end of Mr. Ecevit's three day visit, the two sides will proclaim that the shared values of ``secularism and democracy'' are the foundations of a new political relationship between the two nations.

India and Turkey will also declare their ``conviction'' that the suppression of international terrorism, ``regardless of its origin and motivation'' is an ``essential element'' for maintenance of international peace and security.

The new bonhomie between India and Turkey and their proclaimed opposition to terrorism and extremism is likely to be viewed with dismay in Pakistan.

Turkey, a long standing ally of Pakistan, is now seeking to build a new relationship with India discarding the baggage of the past. This is a signal to Pakistan that many of the leading Islamic nations are increasingly wary of the extremist course that Islamabad has chosen.

Mr. Ecevit left no one in doubt here about the waning significance of the historic ties with Pakistan and the need for modernity and moderation in the Islamic world.

`Not happy with Pak. rule '

At a press conference here this morning, Mr.Ecevit said Turkey was ``not happy'' with the military rule in Pakistan and called for an early restoration of democracy there. Asked about his decision not to stop over in Islamabad while coming here, Mr. Ecevit said his objective was ``to give a new impetus to relations with India'' and did not want to mix it up with a visit to Pakistan.

Referring to the new winds of democracy in the Islamic world, Mr. Ecevit said, Turkey has demonstrated that ``Islam and democracy are compatible'' and this should be ``an example for the rest of the Islamic nations.''

In an important move, India and Turkey have agreed to intensify their cooperation in Central Asia and in finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.

Expressing concern over the human rights violations in Afghanistan and the increased narcotics production there, India and Turkey have affirmed that there can be no military solution to the problems of Afghanistan, and demanded that all external interference should cease in that country.

Mr. Ecevit declared that ``the present regime in Afghanistan is an anachronism out of tune with the modern world'' and indirectly criticised Pakistan for supporting the Taliban. He insisted that India and Turkey must ``find ways to help Afghanistan become a modern state.''

As an Indophile who has translated parts of Gita and Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali, Mr. Ecevit has left here for a ``sentimental journey'' to Shantiniketan in West Bengal where he will be conferred the award of ``Deshikottama.''

Mr. Ecevit, who keeps translating verses from the Gita, said the book has been a valuable guide in his political life.

When confronted with many difficult choices in his long political career, Mr. Ecevit said he turned to Lord Krishna's sermon to Arjuna.

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