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'India can't be ignored, realises G-8'

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

The economically-advanced G-8 countries seem to have finally woken up to the realisation that India is South Asia's most promising economic power whose awesome might can no longer be ignored, a top official of the ministry of external affairs asserted on Tuesday.

He was referring to the G-8 invitation extended to India for the June 25 consultations in Rome and to the July 21-22 Geneva summit.

"Reflecting the unanimous view of the G-8 member countries, G-8 chairman Gianfranco Bonnetti informed our leadership that the group appreciates India's burgeoning economic and military might. Its vibrant democracy is greatly admired by these developed countries who feel that with such a winsome combination, they must have closer interaction with us," said an MEA official in the office of secretary (west) R S Kalhan.

Kalhan represented India at the G-8 meet in Rome.

Before leaving for the G-8 meet, Kalhan told reporters that India's invitation was tantamount to its members recognising and acknowledging the fact that "India is an important player which has to be taken seriously."

Kalhan, however, shied away from giving specific reasons for India's invitation, contending that "they think it is big."

The official pointed out that apart from these reasons, the G-8 countries wanted to share India's experience in combating terrorism in its most virulent form which is being witnessed not only in Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern India but various parts of the country."

He said that despite the "western tendency to accuse Indian armed forces of human rights violations, there is a growing realisation among the developed countries that India has done a commendable job in combating externally-inspired terrorism on Indian soil."

He said that the G-8 countries had a 'grudging admiration for New Delhi's internal and external intelligence apparatus' which had functioned well and pre-empted many attacks planned by the terrorists.

In this context, he pointed out that the effective monitoring by the Delhi police of former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje's mobile telephone had blown the lid off the internationally rampant match-fixing scandal.

"This caused some heartburns among many (western) countries, but it also brought some new-found admiration for the Indian ability," the official pointed out.

New Delhi's national security concerns and resultant measures have also evoked lavish external praise, he said.

The official pointed out that what has impressed the western countries is India's quintessential secular and democratic character which has remained steadfast, barring rare 'aberrations'.

In this context, he referred to the ongoing government measures to combat religious terrorism and fundamentalism 'of all denominations'.

"This is what has impressed the G-8 countries and, among other things, they want to share India's experience in handling religious fundamentalists and extremists which is a threat to civilised society," he underscored.

Significantly, Kalhan told reporters that India would also press (during its participation in the G-8 summit) for the early implementation of the UN resolution number 1333 pertaining to the extended sanctions on the Taliban.

"We will brief the G-8 leadership on Afghanistan and India's security concerns (regarding the threat emanating from the Kabul regime)," Kalhan asserted.

The MEA official indicated that India has 'reliable friends', like France and Germany, among the G-8 countries whose views on international terrorism and religious fundamentalism are identical.

"France, especially, shares India's perception that the world should be multipolar and not unipolar," he pointed out.

Significantly, Union Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani has just left for Germany where he will sign an extradition treaty with the Germans.

"Our growing bilateral relations with Washington have also made the G-8 member sit up and take notice of India's economic potential and military might," the official contended.

He referred to the recent statement by the Chinese leadership that "the US is playing the India card to contain China."

"This statement (by China) shows the kind of respect we have begun to enjoy in the lot of the international community," the official added.

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