Click to play videoIndia's Foreign Minister S M Krishna gave his first interview to CNN-IBN after the Indo-Pak joint statement was issued and he has reiterated that there is no difference between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the party over the issue. However, he is hoping all is not lost and says that the Government will continue to build consensus on the issue.
Suhasini Haider: Seems to be that the UPA has taken a considered decision to go ahead in engaging with Pakistan. Do you think the UPA somehow misjudged the nation's mood?
S M Krishna: I do not know the basis on which you draw that inference. I have always believed that the Indian people want a peaceful life for themselves. They don't want a war. They don't want any clashes. So the Prime Minister has been able to convince the nation, according to my assessment, that to walk the language of negotiations with Pakistan is the only way out. As he put it very succinctly, we are dealing with another nuclear power. So when two nuclear powers clash as neighbours, then it could be disastrous for the whole region. Hence, I think it is wisdom which dictates our policy to go in for a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan, hoping that Pakistan will be able to live up to its commitments of going after those perpetrators of the attack in Mumbai.
Suhasini Haider: There are specific accusations made such as the breakdown in foreign policy consensus. On Thursday, just to quote from what Yashwant Sinha said: 'the nation's foreign policy is not safe in Mr Krishna's hands'. How would you respond to that attack?
S M Krishna: Well, the nation's foreign policy is not in Mr Krishna's hands alone. It is in the hands of the Congress party and the people have seen how the Congress party has conducted its foreign policy whenever they have been in power. We have been in power since 2004. So they have seen through the various stages of evolution of India's foreign policy. So I intend to believe that we will be able to convince the people of this country that it is necessary to go along with Pakistan for the talks. And at the same time impressing upon Pakistan that as long as terror is directed against India, they cannot expect India to be friendly with them.
Suhasini Haider: You will try to convince the Opposition. You think political consensus could have been built before this? That's something the Opposition has accused you of.
S M Krishna: Well we have made statements in Parliament to keep both the Houses informed of various developments that are taking place. The PM has twice spoken in Parliament on this subject. So that is only to get a consensus, that is to take the entire country along with him.
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