Jaswant in Australia, to discuss NMD

By Amit Baruah

SYDNEY, JUNE 19. The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, arrived here today on an official visit to Australia, the first ever by an Indian External Affairs Minister. The two Indian Ocean democracies were once separated by the Cold War divide.

Among other things, in his talks with his Australian counterpart, Mr. Alexander Downer, Mr. Singh is scheduled to discuss the U.S' National Missile Defence concept to which India has extended its qualified support. Senior defence officials are part of the visiting Minister's team.

With Australia being a long-time ally of the U.S., and India a recent friend of Washington, the two countries, may have a lot to talk about the issue.

New Delhi's position on the National Missile Defence and its gradual gravitation towards the U.S. under the Vajpayee Government has been noted in the Asia-Pacific region. There is little doubt that India's new positions have evoked interest, and in some quarters, some concern as well.

Despite the qualifications and explanations that were added to the original Indian statement on National Missile Defence, it is evident that New Delhi's view is being seen as an ``endorsement'' of the American proposal.

Australia's own position on the National Missile Defence was articulated in a recent response given to Parliament. ``Australia understands the rationale for the U.S.' plans to develop a limited national missile defence system to defend against potential threats from rogue states. We have stressed to the U.S. the importance of managing the issue of the NMD carefully, especially with countries which regard such systems as undermining their strategic position. We have indicated to the U.S. our hope that it will be able to reach understandings with Russia through the START process which preserve strategic stability and facilitate balanced reductions in both countries' nuclear arsenals. We have suggested this would preferably involve a re-negotiated ABM Treaty more relevant to changed strategic circumstances, rather than U.S. abrogation of the Treaty.''

Given the fact that both Australia and India regard themselves as ``players'' in the Asia-Pacific region, a possible common perspective on strategic issues will be of interest to other countries in their neighbourhood.

Mr. Singh, who moves on to Canberra tomorrow for official talks, has a series of meetings planned during his two- day stay in Canberra from where he will travel to Adelaide for meeting Mr. Downer. From Adelaide, he will go to New Zealand.

Mr. Singh will call on the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. John Howard, besides holding meetings with the Defence Minister, the Trade Minister, and the Environment Minister who is also the leader of the House in the Senate (Mr. Singh's Rajya Sabha counterpart).

After the visit by the then Vice-President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, in 1994, and then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986, Mr. Singh will become the highest-ranking Indian political leader to travel to Australia.

From the Australian side, there has been a focus on India as an economy and a market. The Australian Prime Minister visited India in July 2000 and Mr. Downer was in New Delhi in March 2000.

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Section  : International
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