A challenge to Indian diplomacy, says Gujral

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 19. The former Prime Minister, Mr. I.K. Gujral, has said India must protect its own interests while responding to the call by the U.S. for fighting terrorism.

``Terrorism is not confined to one area. But India's priority should be to end terrorism in its own land,'' he said while participating in a panel discussion to be broadcast by the `Sab TV'.

Mr. Gujral said the country has been battling terrorism for several decades. But India must understand what kind of support the U.S. wants. ``It is a challenge for Indian diplomacy.''

He said the U.N. Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, had already indicated that military action against those responsible for the terror attacks will be under the U.N. aegis. ``If it serves our purpose, we should support it.''

Mr. Gujral said the front against global terrorism should be expanded. ``Even if Gen. Pervez Musharraf wants to join the fight against Afghan rebels - whether voluntarily or involuntarily - we should wish him success.''

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr. Pramod Mahajan, said Pakistan's relevance in the fight against global terrorism should not be undermined. India should remain vigilant but if Pakistan sincerely wants to join the war, India should welcome it.

He said the country cannot go on putting conditions at this stage on the U.S. to provide logistic support. ``We should seize the opportunity and help create a global opinion against terrorism.'' The U.S. cannot win the battle in just one instance or by one air strike. ``If Washington fights terrorism only on its borders and lets it brew on ours, then the task will remain incomplete,'' he said.

Mr. Mahajan said the first war of 21st century began after the world changed on September 11. ``But if the U.S. wants to retaliate for those strike first, then we should not ask them to choose between India and Pakistan.'' He said the disease itself, not just the symptom, should be treated.

The CPI(M) politburo member, Mr. Sitaram Yechuri, said the U.S. was responsible for creating the Taliban regime and India should not allow the use of its airbases for military operations. Direct U.S. intervention will create socio-economic problems in India, he added. ``We lost two democratically-elected Prime Ministers but the U.S. did nothing then. Their priority is to retaliate, and take revenge.''

The Congress general secretary, Mr. Kamal Nath, said the Afghan terrorist training camps were well-identified and India should not let the momentum go. The agenda should be to fight global terrorism and India must support the Bush administration.

- UNI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Jaswant seeks Iran's help in fighting terrorism
Next     : No airbases offered, says India