Former Prime Minister of India - Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

PRIME MINISTER SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE'S OPENING REMARKS AT SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE

The following is the text of the opening remarks made by the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington yesterday:

~I am happy to have this opportunity to meet with you and the other Senators today. On my visit to the United States last year, I had occasion to interact with some of you. We had talked then of the encouraging signs for an invigoration of India-US relations, on the basis of our shared ideals, democratic values and economic opportunities. We noted that there is strong support for broad-based and multi-faceted bilateral relations across the political spectrum in both countries.

In the past year, we have shown the validity of these propositions. A new Administration has taken over here and this has in no way interrupted the tempo of growth in our relationship. We have had an unprecedented level of exchange of high level visits in the last few months. We have maintained the Dialogue Architecture, we have progressed on defence cooperation, and we have had detailed consultations on the new strategic framework which President Bush unveiled in May this year. We are now discussing the enlargement of our economic dialogue to cover new areas. We are both looking at a long term relationship which builds on the obvious synergies and complementarities. During this visit, I propose to specially focus on this aspect.

Last year, the shadow of international terrorism had not extended to the United States of America. We were even then facing some of its manifestations in our country. I cannot describe the shock and horror we in India felt at the barbaric attacks of September 11 and the Anthrax scare, in which you, Senator Daschle, were personally affected. We had no hesitation in joining you in your determination to firmly destroy the terrorist networks, which committed this atrocity against humanity. We also applauded the courage and determination with which the American people responded to the challenge posed by these events. The overwhelming support you have received from all over the world confirms the wisdom of your choice in tackling terrorism firmly.

I remember saying in this building last year that Afghanistan was descending into anarchy and becoming a centre of terrorism. I take no pleasure that this description was supported by subsequent events. First we had the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas. Then came additional draconian regulations imposing intolerable restrictions on religious minorities, reminiscent of the Nazi era. Finally there was September 11. That this terrorist menace suddenly moved from our region to yours, showed that distance provides no insulation against terrorist acts.

We have seen that terrorist units develop financial and logistical links across countries and continents, though they may espouse different causes and ideologies. Killing of innocent civilians and destruction of property can only be called terrorism, whatever the justification provided. Every such manifestation has to be dealt with equally firmly. Unless and until we develop this integrated and inclusive approach to this scourge, no democratic, pluralist society can remain unthreatened by terrorism. We will remain strongly with the American people in this endeavour.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan needs to return to normalcy as soon as possible so that its people can at last have a government, which is broadbased, representative, and neutral. Refugees have to be enabled to return to the country, and massive external economic assistance would be required for rehabilitation and reconstruction in that ravaged country. India is vitally affected by developments in Afghanistan. Most of the terrorism in our country in the last few years has also had close links in that country. I have written recently to President Bush suggesting the urgent formation of a group of countries, which should engage in a focussed manner on political reconciliation and economic reconstruction in Afghanistan.

We hope Pakistan will play a constructive role in this. If indeed it has made the correct strategic choice to change, it would be a major advance towards peace in the region.

Unfortunately, we continue to face cross border terrorism and increased infiltrations across the border and the Line of Control. You would understand, as elected representatives of the people, that public opinion seeks action from its elected representatives when such incidents occur. This is what I wrote to President Bush on October 1 after the terrorist act against the State Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir when over 40 people lost their lives. We have no desire to overload the agenda of the international coalition against terrorism. But at the same time we need to ensure that we do not tamely accept terrorist acts against us from across the borders.

These are some of the perspectives I thought I could share with you today before our discussions.

Thank You.~