Click to play videoSM Krishna took charge as the Minister of External Affairs on Friday. In an exclusive interview with CNN-IBN, Krishna spoke on a variety of foreign policy matters including India’s relationship with its troubled neighbour Sri Lanka and charges of UPA government being pro-US. However, his strongest message seemed to go out to Pakistan when he said a dialogue with that country would be possible only after perpetrators of 26/11 are brought to book.
Suhasini Haidar: You have been Chief Minister of Karnataka, a five-time MP but new to the External Affairs Ministry, unlike your predecessors like Pranab Mukherjee - who had held the post before - and Natwar Singh - who was a diplomat. What are the key strengths you will bring to this post?
SM Krishna: The world is going through a rapid change. Countries are becoming increasingly inter-dependent on each other. India would like to be friendly not only with our immediate neighbors but also the super powers. So it will be my endeavor to continue the fundamentals of the foreign policy that have been spelt out over a period of time and I would take it forward in that direction.
Suhasini Haidar: As Chief Minister of Karnataka you met many heads of state who visited Bangalore- is that experience also going to prove helpful?
SM Krishna: Well it was fortunate that a number of heads of govt. visited Bangalore when I was the CM of that state. It was largely because of the investment climate that we tried to create in the state of Karnataka. It was a very big incentive for foreign investors. In foreign countries, govt. and business act very closely. Those visits were investment oriented and we were extremely lucky that huge investments came into the state of Karnataka during those five years and we reaped the benefit out of it.
Suhasini Haidar: So will the SM Krishna stamp on the MEA be a push for economic relations, not just political relations?
SM Krishna: It need not necessarily be political. It could also be economical, trade oriented or investment oriented. I think my effort would be to drive the economic sector and thereby bring about greater partnership between these two.
Suhasini Haidar: In your first statement after taking over- you spoke of the subcontinent being your focus- given the problems we see in Pakistan, in Nepal, in Sri Lanka, are India’s neighbours also your biggest challenge?
SM Krishna: Whether you refer to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal or our immediate big neighbour China. We have our problems but we also have our lasting friendship with all of them. We want a strategic partnership with all these countries so that we can live in peace. Development could be our mantra or the engine which will drive us.
Suhasini Haidar: Particularly when it comes to Sri Lanka- a lot has changed. What will India’s role be in rebuilding Sri Lanka after the end of the LTTE?
SM Krishna: Sri Lanka has come out of a tragedy that it went through. Now Sri Lanka can look forward to rebuilding their nation, to bring about harmony amongst the people who live their and devolution of power to the Sri Lankan Tamilians which was the root cause of their problem. We have impressed upon the president of Sri Lanka that it would be desirable that he addresses the concerns of the minority and we have been assured that he will move forward in that direction.
Suhasini Haidar: But many would ask- does India have a role, should India have a role in asking those questions?
SM Krishna: We have a role because a large number of Tamilian people are involved. We have a role because we have good relations with Sri Lanka. You may be aware that 100 crores to rehabilitate who are in distress there has been allocated and the PM has gone on to say that he will give 500 crores. These are gestures to reassure the govt. of Sri Lanka that India is profoundly concerned about the welfare of the Sri Lankan tamils. At the same time we feel that Sri Lanka should come out of this crisis and they should move forward in terms of rebuilding the nation.
Suhasini Haidar: Are you convinced the Sri Lankan government will make good on its promises of devolution in Tamil areas?
SM Krishna:I do not how things will unfold in the next few days. Lets wait and watch. President Rajapakse has assured us he will work towards the concerns of the minority.
Suhasini Haidar: Many have also pointed to the double standards if you like- on the one hand India was pressing for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka in what it called its war on terror, on the other hand it is pressing Pakistan to do much more on its war on terror, saying it isn’t enough?
SM Krishna: Sri Lanka and Pakistan belong to two different categories. What was happening in Sri Lanka was internal strife, but what is happening in Pakistan is the territory of Pakistan is being used repeatedly to assault India. Our territorial integrity is being repeatedly violated. What happened on 26/11 is still very fresh in our memories. So we feel that Pakistan should have the commitment and determination to fight terror and India is going to partner with them in fighting terror in both Pakistan and India.
Suhasini Haidar: But the entire peace process with Pakistan is now on hold- after the Mumbai attacks in November- a time in fact when the dialogue was being expedited- do you think it would ever be possible to pick up the pieces of that process?
SM Krishna: You referred to the timing of 26/11. We as a country would like to be in peace with Pakistan. We would want to have friendly relations with them. Every time we have reached certain critical stage something like this happens. 26/11 happened at a time when the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan was moving in a particular direction and we were pleased with the development. And then suddenly this heinous crime on India was perpetrated. First few days, Pakistan did not concede that the perpetrators were Pakistani or it was plan, hatched and executed from the soil of Pakistan. And ultimately Pakistan conceded the fact that they were all Pakistanis and the one who is in our custody is a Pakistani. Such being the case it will become extremely difficult for India to continue the composite dialogue unless Pakistan brings all those perpetrators of that crime to book to justice. Then perhaps there is a possibility that we can move along the composite dialogue.
It has had a very negative impact on our relationship and the dialogue has been virtually halted. Pakistan will have to do some introspection and take some steps in order to set right the record.
Suhasini Haidar: The reason I ask is because recently Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said for the first time that he and President Musharraf had reached a near breakthrough on issues including Kashmir- and this week Former Foreign Minister Khursheed Mahmud Kasuri said the breakthrough involved soft borders – if the process was to restart could you pick up that thread again?
SM Krishna: I think the ball is in Pakistan's court. They will have to take the necessary steps to drive home the point that they are committed to fight terror.
Suhasini Haidar: Meanwhile the fight against the Taliban seems to be getting more prolonged- with attacks like the Lahore blast (today) is India worried about the spillover of that war into Indian territory?
SM Krishna: We are taking every possible step. Our level of vigil has been upgraded and we are conscious that certain developments could take place. We will monitor the situation very closely and take all precautions to checkmate any such situation.
Suhasini Haidar: To relations with the US- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is heading to India at the end of July- what do you hope to achieve from the visit- whats on the agenda?
SM Krishna: We have a strategic with USA and over a period of time it has been nurtured. It has grown and strengthened. We have the nuclear treaty which was signed and approved by the Indian parliament. This is a major achievement of the previous govt. and Dr. Manmohan Singh. The Secretary of State Mrs. Clinton is coming to India. We are looking forward to the visit. We welcome her. It will be a crucial visit.
Suhasini Haidar: Equally the UPA government is accused of a pro-US tilt- those accusations particularly loud after the nuclear deal. Are you going to try and balance that perception?
SM Krishna: I do not agree that there has been a pro-US tilt or an anti tilt against somebody else. We have a special relationship with every country. With USA we have certain relationship. That relationship has been strengthened. You know the energy problem that we as a nation are facing and the signing of the nuclear agreement with USA although it met with some initial opposition but ultimately the parliament gave its approval. It is an endorsement of the people of this country to the treaty. The treaty is in overall interest of India. We would like to take it forward.
We are doing what is best for India, what is best for the people of this country. The people of this country will have a better quality of life with increased power dispensation. We should thank the govt. to take this decision.
Suhasini Haidar: So you’re not worried about being seen as pro-US? Of course you have your own memories as a student there- and I understand you met with Martin Luther King Jr, even President Kennedy?
SM Krishna: I was in George Washington university, the year when Senator Kennedy was fighting for the presidentship of the US. I was working for an organization in Washington DC while pursuing my studies. I used to go to the capital to attend various sessions of the US senate and the House of Representatives. My task was to follow various congressional hearings and in that period I had met President Kennedy, Vice President Nixon, Mr. Johnson who later became president. I have very happy memories of my association with the US politics when I was a student there.
Suhasini Haidar: Not so well known- is that you are a keen tennis player- can we expect some “tennis diplomacy” in South Block?
SM Krishna: When Tony Blair was PM of UK, he had come to Bangalore for three days. We had a date to have a tennis game but unfortunately he went to Ooty and sprained his ankle while playing squash. So I could not have a game of tennis with PM Blair. I still play tennis whenever I have the time. But I don't know hereafter with the kind of responsibilities that have been entrusted upon me whether I will have the time to pursue my love for tennis.
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