Manmohan's US visit to 'renew partnership'

New Delhi: Dressed in crisp white with a blue turban, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appeared relaxed as he discussed his state visit to Washington.

Singh, 77, will meet President Barack Obama this week at a time when many Indians fear that Obama will focus less on India than did previous American administrations, particularly as the US-Chinese relationship grows in importance.

At his New Delhi residence, Singh discussed terrorism, trade and why it is critical that the US not abandon Afghanistan.

Excerpts:

You are President Obama's first official state visitor. What would you like to accomplish in Washington?

Manmohan Singh: We are strategic partners. We have good relations. But there is a new administration in America. So it is appropriate that I should renew our partnership.

Will you and the president announce any new initiatives? How might India and the United States cooperate in the future?

We have a landmark agreement with the United States on nuclear cooperation. We would like to operationalise it and ensure that the objectives for the nuclear deal are realised in full. My hope is that we can persuade the US administration to be more liberal when it comes to transferring technologies to us.

I also think that India and the United States could be partners in refocusing our attention on an equitable, balanced global order.

What does that mean?

We would like to strengthen energy cooperation with the United States — [in] clean coal technology and in renewable energy resources. Similarly, there is concern for food security. We would like to have a second Green Revolution in our country — therefore, cooperation in the field of agriculture, in science and technology, in health, and in dealing with pandemics.

How do you see Afghanistan?

I hope the US and the global community will stay involved in Afghanistan. A victory for the Taliban in Afghanistan would have catastrophic consequences for the world, particularly for South Asia, for Central Asia and for the Middle East.

We [in India] of course have more immediate concerns. We are victims of terrorism and the extremist ideologies of the type that the Taliban represent. If this is not checked, this could destabilise our country.

How do you feel about Afghan President Hamid Karzai?

President Karzai's regime is not perfect. There are problems of improving governance. But you cannot transform Afghanistan overnight. Democracy, as the West understands it, may not be introduced in a short period of time in Afghanistan. But the very fact that millions of Afghan children, including millions of girls, are now in school, when none was in school when the Taliban was in power, shows some human freedom. One has to take a balanced view. Now that President Karzai has been re-elected, I think the time has come that the global community should rally behind him.

How do you assess the situation in Pakistan?

We are concerned about the rise of terrorism in Pakistan. We have been the victims of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism for a long time. Now if the Taliban and Al Qaida type of terror, which in the past was located in the FATA area (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) of Pakistan, gets transferred to the mainland of Pakistan, I think it has very serious consequences for our own security. We would not like terrorism to lead to a situation where the civilian government is only a nominal government.

Don't you think that's the situation now?

I'm not saying that's the situation now. But obviously Al Qaida and the terrorists have a grip over several parts of Pakistan.

Do you think the Pakistanis are trying as hard as they can?

As far as Afghanistan is concerned, I'm not sure whether the United States and Pakistan have the same objectives. Pakistan would like Afghanistan to be under its control. And they would like the United States to get out soon. The US objectives are to get Pakistan to deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan. But I don't see Pakistan wholeheartedly in support of action against the Taliban in Afghanistan. They are of course taking action against the Taliban, but only when it threatens the supremacy of the army.

So does that leave India and the United States able to cooperate against the Taliban?

We have supported the strong presence of the international community in Afghanistan. We have provided substantial resources for the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, about $1.2 billion (Dh4.4 billion). We would like to do more and believe we can do it more effectively than any other aid donor. We are involved in strengthening schools, health care and electricity.

Regarding Pakistan, is the most important matter to see the terrorist groups brought under control?

We have been the victims of Pakistan-aided, -abetted and -inspired terrorism for nearly 25 years. We would like the United States to use all its influence with Pakistan to desist from that path. Pakistan has nothing to fear from India. It's a tragedy that Pakistan has come to the point of using terror as an instrument of state policy.

Do you worry about Iran getting a nuclear weapon?

I met recently with the Iranian foreign minister. We did discuss the nuclear question. The message he left with me was that they feel encouraged by the messages they are receiving from the Obama administration.

 You entered into talks with General Pervez Musharraf when he was head of state. Are there any steps to be taken now with Pakistan?

We are committed to resolve all the outstanding issues with Pakistan through bilateral negotiations. Our only condition is that Pakistan should not allow its territory to be used for acts of terrorism against India. If Pakistan really honours that commitment, we can go back to negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues between us.

 If you look at Mumbai, the Pakistanis apparently were not honouring the agreement.

As far as the perpetrators of the Mumbai massacre are concerned, [Pakistan] has taken some steps but not enough.

Do you worry about another Mumbai?

Every day I receive intelligence reports saying that terrorists based in Pakistan are planning other similar acts.

Do you feel you've made a difference to your country as prime minister? What will your legacy be?

I hope I've made some difference. That's for posterity to judge.

— Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service