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India not to create problems for Pak: Kalam
Kushal Dasgupta

 

Presidents Abdul Kalam of India (L) and Thabo Mbeki of South Africa shake hands after a press conference at Tuynhuis in Cape Town, South Africa, on Wednesday. Kalam is on a five-day visit to strengthen bilateral trade, economic, scientific and technical co-operation between the two countries. — Reuters photo

Cape Town, September 15
Expecting stepped-up relations between India and Pakistan, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today said India would not create any problems for the neighbouring country, but would definitely safeguard its own interests.

Addressing the media jointly with his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki here after receiving a ceremonial reception, Dr Kalam said at present both the countries were trying to improve their relations through dialogue.

‘’Right now both the countries are at the negotiating table. Talks are going on at ministerial, secretarial and people-to-people levels. We are not interested in creating problems for anybody. But of course, we will have to safeguard our interest also,’’ he said in reply to a question.

Referring to his visit to South Africa, first time by any Indian Head of State, Dr Kalam said his trip had coincided with the celebrations of a decade of end of White rule in South Africa.

He said his visit was part of India’s “Focus Africa” Policy.

In a one-to-one meeting after the ceremonial reception, both Dr Kalam and Mr Mbeki discussed various subjects concerning bilateral relations, including business partnership between the two countries and strengthening IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa).

Mr Mbeki said discussions on the IBSA had centred around the possibility of joint ventures by the three counties in the field of production.

He said the IBSA was the result of an idea of bringing these three developing countries together to make their voice heard and work for mutual development.

Earlier, Dr Kalam, who arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit, was accorded a grand ceremonial reception at the State House. After he was accorded a gun salute, the President inspected a Guard of honour by the security forces. — UNI