Deve Gowda eager for talks with Sharif

P Mohan Das in Port Louis

Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has said India will fully cooperate in setting the stage for bilateral talks at the foreign ministers' level as desired by Pakistan Prime Minister Designate Nawaz Sharif.

Deve Gowda was asked about his reaction to the outcome of the election results in Pakistan which had given a resounding majority to Nawaz Sharif.

After signing a few agreements during his two-day visit to Mauritius, Deve Gowda told a press conference ''The Pakistan prime minister has not taken charge, yet he has expressed the desire to have talks at the level of foreign ministers to improve the relations between the two countries. Once we get an invitation, after Mr Sharif takes charge, we will fully cooperate with Pakistan in the first stage of talks at the foreign ministers level.''

He said the recent election results showed that democracy has returned to Pakistan where there was some uncertainty. The Indian government is eager to improve relations with Pakistan through mutual dialogue and discussion, and sort out any problem, he said.

India's foreign policy, he said, has always been to maintain good relation with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan.

On Sri Lanka, the prime minister made it clear that India did not want to interfere in the sovereign affairs others. ''Whatever the Sri Lankan government is doing, we extend our moral support''. He said India wanted to maintain cordial and friendly relations with its neighbours, including Sri Lanka. During the joint council meeting in Colombo, External Affairs Minister I K Gujral had made it clear that India's stand was very consistent and did not want to interfere in the internal matters of any other country.

On the controversial comprehensive test ban treaty, Deve Gowda came down heavily on some developed countries which were out to pressurise India into signing the agreement.

Deve Gowda said ''India is the first country which promoted total nuclear disarmament. But some countries have already acquired nuclear arms. Now they are prevailing on us to sign the treaty which is not acceptable to India.''

''We are for a total ban of nuclear weapons and the treaty in its present form is not agreeable.''

Deve Gowda explained that India has the responsibility to safeguard the security of the country and ''taking into account that aspect, we are not in a position to be a party to the CTBT''.

He said Mauritius appreciated India's problems and that is why it extended its support to India on the issue. Mauritius too did not sign the CTBT.

UNI