Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

Transcript of PM's onboard media interaction enroute from Dhaka to New Delhi

Question 1: How was your visit and are you satisfied with the visit?

Answer. I am very satisfied with results of this visit. For me going to Bangladesh was a sentimental affair because soon after the liberation of Bangladesh, I was asked by Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi to go to Dhaka to work out a programme of economic cooperation between our two countries in the new changed political context of India Bangladesh relations. I visited Bangladesh and then along with Doctor Nurul Islam, who was then the Chairman of Planning Commission worked out a programme cooperation in the short term, medium term and long term. And when I look back at that programme today, many elements are still as valid today as they were then. And visiting the Bangabandhu Museum today was a most touching affair because it was in this very house that I had called on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Saheb and reported to him what our findings of the joint group were. So in many ways it has been a very sentimental visit for me.

I have always believed that India will never be able to realise its full development potential, if other countries in South Asia are not working in harmony with each other and this applies to Bangladesh, more than to any other country. Things could have been better if we were able to sign the water sharing accord, but what we have achieved today, a broad umbrella agreement setting out pathways of cooperation in diverse fields for accelerated development of our two countries, I think has immense potentialities. We have agreed on the delineation and the demarcation of boundaries, the treatment of enclaves, the treatment of adverse possessions, I sincerely hope this will straighten out the borders, and those unfortunate incidents, which take place from time to time including the illegal movement of men and goods across the borders, they will be a thing of past, now that we have a definitive agreed view of where the border lies. So I am very hopeful that what we have achieved will be a pathfinder of the development of our relations with the friendly government and people of Bangladesh.

Question 2. On nominating a political emissary now to talk to Ms. Mamata Banerjee to resolve the water issue in addition to official level talks?

Answer. I really don't know what political and what official mean. I was in touch with Mamta ji for quite some time, and in fact I sent Shankar Menon, who is my National Security Advisor to meet Mamta ji, to seek guidance from her, more than a month ago. And I was told that all technical details were sorted out. And subsequently for the first time in the Political Affairs Committee Meeting of the Cabinet, Dinesh Trivedi raised some objections and that time again I again sent Shankar Menon to visit Kolkata. He had a meeting. What the Chief Minister said and what Shankar Menon understood, he undertook to get it done. He visited back Dhaka and arrangements were made. But in the meanwhile obviously some other factors must have intervened and therefore Mamta Banerjee said she will not accompany me. It is only subsequently I learnt that the reason was disagreement with what was being attempted with regard to Teesta. So I think we are all in politics, senior advisors when they are sent they have a political mission, but one learns from ones mistake. I am not claiming that I am infallible. I think we will continue to work very closely with Mamta Banerjee. I have assured her that nothing will be done which affects West Bengal, which will not take into account the interests of West Bengal.

Question 3. Are you concerned over provincial issues colouring our foreign policy?

Answer. Well I think, Provincial sentiments cannot be wished away in a multi regional set up. We are a country of great complexities and great diversity. There are different regions, they have different perspectives, they have different problems. So we have to find pathways in which we can take along the regional parties, while trying to find out a coherence in our foreign policy relations with our neighbours and as well as with other countries.

These problems are bound to arise for example when we go to negotiate on environment, increasingly States are saying well you are trying to barter away our interests. You must take us into confidence. Although treaties are exclusively within the domain of the Centre but one has to take into account the political realities. So there is work ahead for us, and I think we must, open up more and more channels of communications with State Governments and regional forces, to help build a coherent national perspective on these seemingly difficult issues.

Question 4. On concerns about illegal migration from Bangladesh?

Answer. Well, this issue is being raised in all foras and when we talk of having a peaceful border, we mean that such illegal activities should come to an end. We have agreed with Bangladesh on a border management mechanism. All these are designed to ensure that illegal flow of men and materials would be controlled thereby. So my answer to your question is yes this was very much in our minds.

Question 5. On today's Delhi Blasts and ensuring nervousness...nation would like to know whether this war could be won?

Answer. I am confident that this is a war we will and we must win. And it is in that context I talked about cooperation, among all political parties, instead of wasting of our time in mutual recrimination and mutual accusation, I would like all political parties, all shades of intelligent public opinion in our country to pool their wisdom, knowledge and experience on how best we can tackle this. We have put in place several innovative mechanisms after the Mumbai blasts of 26/11, but obviously I think there are still unresolved problems, that's why terrorists take advantage of them, to that extent there are weaknesses in our system and we must work hard and hard to plug those weaknesses.

Question. Mamata ji is reported to have said that there was a difference in the draft she approved and the one that was finally agreed to be signed?

Answer. Dekhiye main Mamta Banerjee ki baatcheet par koi tippani nahin karma chahta. Meri koshish yahi rahi hai aur yahi rahegi ki hamare West Bengal Government ke saath ache se ache talukat hon. Mamta Banerjee hamare UPA alliance ki ek bahut badi neta hain. I would not like to comment on anything that would convey a contrary impression.

Question. You could not sign the the Teesta agreement. In your Dhaka University speech you said it was unfortunate at the same time you said water is a sensitive issue and it can't be resolved like the 1996 Ganga water treaty. And we all know that behind that treaty was Jyoti Babu's hand. Does it signify anything ?

Answer. Well I think Jyoti Babu made a great contribution , and it is well known and well recognized. But I am not quite clear what answer you want from me.

Question. On meetings with opposition leaders in Bangladesh?

Answer. Well I said in my speech at Dhaka University, that we seek to develop our relationship with all sections of public opinion in Bangladesh. We want to reach out to all the people and all the political parties in Bangladesh. It is in that context, that I met Begum Khalida Zia, as well as General Ershad, and the impression that I get from my talks with both these leaders are that they would like to work with us and the Government of Bangladesh to forge closer cooperation and develop our relationship in diverse fields.

Question - On how deadlock in Parliament could be resolved over issue of the Gujarat Governor ?

Answer. Well, I am outside India I would not like to criticise anybody but I have a sincere belief that all political parties must do some introspection. Parliament is charged with the responsibility primarily of legislation but because of constant disruption on one issue or the other, the legislative agenda of the government is not being able to put together in a form that would lead to approval of the Parliament. Now, this is a national loss.

Today we have a situation where parties at the Centre and parties at the State don't belong to the same party. We have to therefore develop a culture of cooperation, of toleration. If something goes wrong in one State, there are mechanisms to deal with that. In this particular case, of what the Gujarat Governor has done, I am given to understand that the matter is before the courts. Now let the courts, I think, take cognisance of this, let the court decide. And I respectfully submit that, that is not I think a valid ground to disrupt Parliament. And this I say not by way of a criticism of any political party but as a view I sincerely hold, that since different parties, will be holding offices at the centre and the States, we will have to live with that phenomenon. Therefore we should ensure that the Central Government's work including the legislative agenda of the government is not disrupted because of some unfortunate incidents that have taken place in the States. We must work to localise the problems, localise the differences which arise in the States.

Question - On lessons learnt post 26/11 and innovative measures taken?

Answer. Well I think that the Home Minister makes a report to the nation every month and he has explained more than once, changes that we have put in place in strengthening the anti terrorist work. We have put in place the National Investigation Group which will take charge of important cases of terrorism, but I will be the last one to say that we don't have an unfinished agenda. We have an unfinished agenda which we must take up.

Question. In the unfinished agenda, can we count the NCTC project and can you think of a deadline?

Answer. Well I think we had approved, if I remember correctly the Project Report. Persons in charge of this project are already in place, so I think it's a matter of time before we can get a functional centre.

(Later NSA clarified that PM was referring to the Natgrid Project)

Question. On arrest of Amar Singh?

Answer. Well, I have already answered that in the last session of the Parliament. This was a subject which appeared in discussions in Parliament, and I had welcomed a debate on this issue. I have made a statement in Parliament and I stand by that statement.

Question. On major investments in Bangladesh and NE Indian states?

Answer. Well we have to create a climate conducive to investments and what we have done today, we have tried to create an environment that would strengthen the cause of peace and friendship in the North Eastern region of India and Bangladesh. The very fact that I took four Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States having borders with Bangladesh is a visible proof that winds of change are blowing in this region. I am confident that if border incidents become a thing of the past, if we develop border infrastructure, modernise it, if we deal with the problems arising out of connectivity issues, I think we will all realize the economic potential of both Bangladesh and the NE states of India.

Question. On support for Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement?

Answer. I take note of the fact that corruption has become a national issue. It is an issue of national concern and therefore all parties concerned including the Government of India must take note of that and take credible measures to reduce and minimise the scourge of corruption in public affairs.