New Delhi, December 8
India has taken strong exception to the proposed US supply of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan, External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh today told the Lok Sabha and added that even if such a decision was taken, New Delhi was prepared to take on the challenge.
“We will ensure that our defence is fully prepared to take on the challenge,” Mr Natwar Singh said amid thumping of desks by the Treasury Benches.
Mr Natwar Singh, who was replying to the debate on the foreign policy, however, made it clear that the US had not taken any decision so far on the supply of the F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan.
The minister said India had also conveyed to the US that any such move would have “a negative impact on the ongoing composite dialogue process with Pakistan”.
Speaking on a variety of the foreign policy issues, Mr Natwar Singh said even though there were “no quick-fix or magic solutions in our dealings with Pakistan, there has been a definite improvement in relations with our neighbour.”
While admitting that there had been “some hitches” in the operation of a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, the External Affairs Minister said, “we hope that we will resolve this issue as well.”
Pointing out to some of the “key achievements” of the UPA government’s six-month rule and its foreign policy, Mr Natwar Singh said the government had taken to a result-oriented and pro-active foreign policy.
He mentioned about the successful handling of the hostage crisis in Iraq, improvement in relations with Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Among other developments, he said Myanmar’s military ruler, who had visited India recently, was the first top leader from the country to visit India in 26 years.
Stating that there was a re-focus on the country’s relations with neighbouring countries, the External Affairs Minister said,” we have graduated from an event-oriented to a process-oriented foreign policy even as the distinct feature of our policy has been ‘firmness with flexibility’ which has been fully reflected in the common minimum programme.”
On Pakistan, he said India had offered 72 confidence-building measures to that country even as differences existed on some issues.
On China, he said two rounds of talks had taken place with that country. Referring to the recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, Mr Natwar Singh said Russia had strengthened India’s case for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
Stating that more than three million Indians lived in the Gulf, he said India had taken steps to intensify relations with West Asian countries.
Mr Natwar Singh said there had been an overall improvement in relations with countries in South and Central Asia, Africa and West Asia.
He claimed that the quality of diplomacy had improved during the UPA government.
