Brajesh Mishra discusses Afghan crisis with French leaders

By Vaiju Naravane

PARIS, SEPT. 27. The National Security Adviser and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Brajesh Mishra, today spent several hours talking to high-level French diplomats and politicians here. The discussions centred around the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the Afghanistan situation and what the future holds.

Earlier, Mr. Mishra arrived here following consultations in Washington.

Indian officials described the meetings here as ``very timely because the situation is in a state of flux. There is still no complete clarity about both the military and political aspects. With what is happening in the Security Council, there is a fluid situation. So it was a very timely and frank exchange of views,'' the Indian Ambassador, Mr. Kanwal Sibal, told The Hindu.

Officials said, ``the French were keen to know our perceptions and our concerns and how we looked at the impact of what was happening in Afghanistan on the internal situation in Pakistan.''

The French were keen on knowing India's reading of the situation in Pakistan, especially the stability of the Government. The two sides exchanged perceptions about the U.S. thinking of the future of Afghanistan, the nature of contacts between the U.S. and Russia, the views of the Northern Alliance, what would an international coalition for Afghanistan imply and related issues, including the current discussions in the U.N. Security Council. Officials said there was a ``remarkable similarity of views and a remarkable similarity of questions posed by both sides''.

Mr. Christophe Jaffrelot, the Director of CERI, the Centre for Research in International Relations, said terrorism in Kashmir could worsen unless there was ``a simultaneous crackdown on the Taliban and the Islamic extremist movements in Pakistan. If they seize this opportunity to flush out the extremists. But that would mean that Gen. Musharraf would not be using his people in Kashmir. Or it would mean an eradication of them by the Americans and that they are not at all likely to do.''

He said Kashmir was not seen as an issue of nationality or nationhood yet.

Mr. Mishra met Mr. Gerard Herera, head of the French Foreign Office, but could not meet the Foreign Minister, Mr. Hubert Vedrine, who is not here. Mr. Mishra also met the French President, Mr. Jaques Chirac's top political advisers and had a working session with Mr. Xavier de Villepin, President of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, who will be here tomorrow will hold talks with his French counterpart and also call on Mr. Chirac. Significantly, he will also meet France's Defence Minister, Mr. Alain Richard.

A senior French diplomat told The Hindu that Mr. Mishra's visit was ``unscheduled but not surprising given the close strategic dialogue that exists between India and France.''

The talks between Mr. Herera and Mr. Mishra centred principally on the post-September 11 crisis. Sources said Mr. Mishra apprised the French of the assurances extended by Washington on U.S. support to halt cross-border terrorism in Kashmir, which is likely to increase if Pakistani `jehadis' lose their hold over Afghanistan.

``We are conscious of the difficult situation in Kashmir. Our perception of terrorism is not different from that of India's, and we have established the special Indo-French working group on terrorism which held its first meeting on September 7 last, just prior to the tragic events in the U.S. So there is no ``before and after'' 11 September scenario. France has tabled a resolution aimed at curbing terrorists' financial circuits and India and France share the same views.''

Asked whether France would continue to sell arms to Pakistan, a regime which has been harbouring terrorists on its soil, the official said: ``France has not signed any new contracts for arms sales to Pakistan. We have only delivered equipment which had been paid for and there are no new contracts... We have always had good ties with Pakistan and continue to do so. But our relations with India are particularly warm, dense and close, quite different from our relations with Pakistan. When we say that the Kashmir issue should be resolved within the framework of the Shimla Agreement, the Pakistanis see us as being pro-India. On the question of terrorism in Kashmir we have had discussions with India at various levels. The U.S. assurances to India of increased cooperation over terrorism in Kashmir should not affect our relationship,'' the diplomat said.

However, top-level Indian officials were more categorical, saying the present pressure being exerted on Pakistan would definitely impact Indo-French relations.

``The U.S.-led international coalition will also focus on the fact that terrorists trained in Pakistan-supported Afghanistan have been active in Kashmir. That there are madrasas and jehadi groups that are very active in Pakistan itself. Any arguments we make to prove this will be better received. There will definitely be an impact.''

As far as continued sale of arms by France to Pakistan is concerned, Indian officials said, ``we must take a realistic view. The French want to sell. I do not think we can stop minor purchases by Pakistan. But there is a new realisation on the part of the French and other European governments of their own moral responsibility about adding to the instability in the region. After all France is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and wants peace and stability in the region. Certainly we must use all our persuasive powers to prevent further arms sales to Pakistan but they too must use their own judgment and show responsibility, given the nature of the Pakistani regime, its nature. I am sure they would not like to fuel tensions in the region.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Musharraf 'terms' for backing U.S.
Next     : Masood killing linked to air strike plan