India won't succumb to external pressure: Gujral

Prime Minister I K Gujral on Thursday asserted that India will live in the comity of nations on its own terms and has not succumbed to external pressure on issues of national interest.

Replying to a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the working of the external affairs ministry, the prime minister said that India's stand on the controversial Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was a testimony to the protection of the national interest.

He said that India today stands on the threshold of greatness.

Referring to the success of the foreign policy, Gujral said that India must think globally and act regionally.

Gujral said that the country's security is his first responsibility and there will be no compromise on it.

''Please have faith in India in its fiftieth year. I will not let you down,'' he further stated.

Referring to B B Dutta's (nominated) apprehensions on developing closer relations with Pakistan, the prime minister said, ''We do not want reciprocity with our neighbours. Should I ask for reciprocity with Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives?''

Referring to Dutta's allegation that India's role was confined to the South Asian region, the prime minister said that India had excellent relations with ASEAN, the Central Asian Republics and a number of other countries. India is a full dialogue partner of the ASEAN. Similarly relations with the CIS nations have improved in all spheres.

He said, ''We have to carry neighbours with us. It will be great thing for India.''

On the role of the NAM, he said it had not become redundant. ''Shall we abolish the NAM and say it has no role to play in international affairs?''

Gujral said that in the last few years ''we have travelled a lot. The economic policies have given us new strength. It has created a big market.''

Earlier, Pranab Mukherjee said it is not possible to sort out differences between India and Pakistan in one or two years.

G Vithalrao Patil (BJP) said that India should develop a nuclear bomb. ''No dramatic results or breakthrough would be expected from the meeting of the two prime ministers,'' he said referring to his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharief at Male on the sidelines of the SAARC summit.

The prime minister said that the process could be taken up by the foreign secretaries of the two countries when they met next month.

Asked about the misgivings voiced by Pakistan on the issue of sub-regional cooperation, Gujral said, ''Why should there be any objection. If India wants to buy surplus power from Pakistan why should any other country object?''

India, he said, could develop the North East with the help and assistance of neighbouring countries in the region.

Regarding the water-sharing treaty with Bangladesh, the prime minister said the first year of the treaty was a testing time as there was shortage of water in the lean season.

Under the treaty both countries were expected to sort out the issue to mutual satisfaction. ''Our engineers have met and settled the problem,'' he added.

The prime minister said there was no question of reducing troops in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the security forces in the state were responding to a particular situation and had not gone there on an excursion.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief on Thursday said his recent talks with Gujral showed change in New Delhi's attitude towards normalising ties between India and Pakistan.

''The Indian prime minister is inclined to solve issues through dialogue,'' Sharief told mediapersons in Islamabad.

Sharief said an Indian delegation would visit Pakistan at the end of June and working groups on different issues would be set up to find a peaceful solution of several issues including Kashmir.

''It is high time the two countries find out how goodwill and amity can replace tension,'' he said.

UNI/ DPA