'We've no need for jingoism'

Congress(I) Working Committee member and former Union Minister Rajesh Pilot blames the pronouncements of senior BJP Ministers for the negative international focus on the Kashmir issue and feels that India and Pakistan should sit together and talk things over, taking into account the changed scenario. Excerpts from an interview he gave Venkitesh Ramakrishnan:

Kashmir is back in focus. How do you assess the situation?

I would blame the irresponsible statements made by Union Ministers including Home Minister L.K. Advani, for the international hullabaloo on Kashmir. More than the competitive nuclear tests, it was the uncalled-for sabre-rattling that has created the present situation.

When the Congress(I) came to power in 1991, we faced a similar situation; many powerful countries were set to intervene in Jammu and Kashmir. Increase in terrorist activity coupled with poor handling of the administrative and security systems by the previous Government had created that predicament. However, through systematic efforts on the political and security fronts, we turned the situation around. This is what helped the United Front Government to conduct Assembly elections and install a popular Government in the State. The nations which wanted to intervene were forced to accept the fact that the Indian Government does represent the views of the majority of the population in the State. Now we are in danger of losing that advantage.

SANDEEP SAXENA

When you talk of sabre-rattling, are you referring to Advani's statement that "Islamabad has to realise the change in the geo-strategic situation in the region and the world"?

That and the statement of Madan Lal Khurana who talked in terms of fixing a date for war or something like that. All that was unwarranted. But these things happen when you misunderstand the capability of our scientists to develop the bomb that shows your political might. The Home Minister was quoted as saying that if it were not for the BJP, earlier Congress(I) governments would have handed over Kashmir to Pakistan. That was an irresponsible statement. Coming to the 'change in the geo-strategic situation in the region', can you say the same after Pakistan's nuclear tests? True, the global situation has changed with the two countries pushing for membership in the nuclear club. But was the comment that Islamabad should realise the changed situation necessary after our tests?

But Pakistan has been using similar rhetoric and talking in terms of the "unfinished job" in Kashmir.

That is no justification for irresponsible talk. Pakistani politicians have a limitation. Their elections are fought and won on the Kashmir issue. They do not seem to be bothered about anything else, not even the developmental concerns of their people. We are not like that. We are a functional democracy. We have no need for thoughtless jingoism.

What do you think are the options before India?

I am happy that the Government has rejected the idea of third party intervention. When you make the mistake of mouthing unnecessary rhetoric, quite often you also have to be cowering later. I am relieved that this has not happened so far. India and Pakistan should sit together and talk things over, taking the changed scenario into consideration. What option do you have other than negotiations? On no account can both the countries afford to think that a nuclear arms race is the solution to their problems.

Do you think that the parameters of the discussion should change? Should it go beyond the framework of the Shimla Agreement or involve the representatives of the Kashmir people?

I do not think that there is any need to go beyond the Shimla Agreement. That should certainly be the basic framework. The Kashmir problem is essentially a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. The recent developments have not changed that situation.

Pakistan appears to be averse to the idea of talks.

It is our job to take the initiative. By going in for an untimely nuclear test and following it up with needless jingoism, we have brought upon ourselves a negative international effect. This effect should be nullified through diplomatic endeavours.

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