Lok Sabha Debates
Discussion On The Demand For Grant No. 31 Under The Control Of The Ministry Of ... on 15 March, 2011
> Title: Discussion on the Demand for Grant No. 31 under the control of the Ministry of External Affairs (Discussion not concluded).
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The House will now take up discussion and voting on Demand No. 31 relating to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Hon. Members present in the House whose cut motions to the Demands for Grants have been circulated may, if they desire to move their cut motions, send slips to the Table within 15 minutes indicating the serial numbers of the cut motions they would like to move. Only those cut motions, slips in respect of which are received at the Table within the stipulated time, will be treated as moved.
A list showing the serial numbers of cut motions treated as moved will be put up on the Notice Board shortly thereafter. In case any Member finds any discrepancy in the list, he may kindly bring it to the notice of the Officer at the Table immediately.
“That the respective sums not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Account and Capital Account shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the President of India, out of the Consolidated Fund of India, to complete the sums necessary to defray the charges that will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 2012, in respect of the head of Demand entered in the second column thereof against Demand No. 31 relating to the Ministry of External Affairs.” Lok Sabha Demands for Grants-Budget (General) for 2011-2012 submitted to the vote of the Lok Sabha No. Name of the Deamnd Revenue Capital
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31. Ministry of External Affairs 6314,97,00,000 791,00,00,000 SHRI JASWANT SINGH (DARJEELING): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I rise to initiate the discussion on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs for the current year.
Firstly, we meet under rather unusual circumstances. Therefore, with a saddened sense of what has recently occurred in Japan, it is cataclysmic in a sense that Japan has suffered, simultaneously an earthquake; a Tsunami; a potential nuclear meltdown of enormous dimensions, plus also, in South West Japan, a volcano has erupted. I do not know of any circumstances in which such a combination of destructive factors have ever visited any country. Of course, the House has already given voice to its views; obituaries have been mentioned. It is also necessary for me to refer to what the hon. Prime Minister has mentioned in the House yesterday as preliminary observations on what has taken place. I will be reverting to that in a moment. It is sad that we meet under such circumstances.
I am further saddened, though it is not usual to do so in such debates, at the loss of an officer of distinction who had worked with me and was currently in Turkey as our Ambassador, Raminder Singh Jassal. Raminder worked with me when I was in the NDA Government assigned with the responsibility of this Ministry that is External Affairs. He was the Spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, who conducted himself with great distinction during the Kargil conflict. Thereafter, he went to Israel on his own choice and then went to the United States where he developed a malignant tumour of the brain; from there he was sent to Turkey. He came to meet me sometime back; he was hopeful; but somewhere as his colleagues informed me, the chemotherapy that he was undergoing went wrong and he died. It is unusual for the Ministry of External Affairs, but not so in the Ministry of Defence where, too, I have had the great honour and distinction of serving, to remember officers who have served the nation.
As I do remember Raminder’s services to the country, I also wish to comment on the great courtesy that was shown to Raminder by the Government of Turkey, in that their distinguished Foreign Minister came to the Raminder’s house to remember; the Government of Turkey provided a Turkish Air Force plane to carry the body. I wish to take this opportunity, through the hon. Minister, to express great gratitude to the Government of Turkey for this act of great civility towards a distinguished member of the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
Earlier, we lost another officer who was our Ambassador in Rome. He too died of cancer, Arif Khan. But that was in Italy and we can scarcely expect that Italians will treat or provide the same kind of courtesy as an Asian nation like Turkey has done.
That is the pain that accompanies my initiation of this discussion.
But after that, I have to share with you a sense of unreality about this discussion because I do not know in reality what we are discussing. I do commend very warmly and sincerely the work that a distinguished paper of the South The Hindu has done in letting the country know the reality of what is transpiring in the name of the country’s foreign policy. When I say a ‘sense of unreality’, it is because I do not know, after reading only the first excerpt of the Wikileak excerpts as to what the actual policy of the Government of India is. If I read the Wikileak’s documents against what the Ministry of External Affairs has given out, and it annually does so – I have also done the same; I do not hold it against the Minister, I tried to change the methodology but I did not succeed -- I do not know Sir, whether to treat the document of the Ministry of External Affairs as fiction. Sir, you can scarcely expect us in this Assembly to say that this is a fictional or notional policy. I mean no disrespect, personal or otherwise, to the distinguished Minister of External Affairs, a gentleman of distinction and repute. But I am struck by the question: who actually is the Minister of External Affairs? Because I cannot, when I go through only some of the Wikileak documents and more are yet to come, I find that at various levels policy is being formulated and discussed so much so that and at times I am struck by an unreal sense, that perhaps our policy in its essence, in its reality, and in the import of the focus of policy, it is not New Delhi that is finalising our policy. It seems to be Washington or elsewhere that it is being done. This is not acceptable.
I will illustrate what I am saying by only some of the examples that have now come out and, therefore, I find it necessary, without meaning any disrespect whatsoever to the hon. Minister to caution the Government that more such documents will come. I do commend the Editor, the staff and the team of The Hindu that have brought to the notice of the rest of the country because it is an act of great public service. But what it leaves with us is a sense of unreality and I will read out to you an excerpt. It is only an excerpt from the Ministry of External Affairs which puts across to us and to the rest of the country, exactly what is reported all about. But first the Report of the MEA says in the Introduction and Synopsis: “The Annual Report informs us that it is dedicated to the furtherance of our national security and developmental priorities in a globalized and inter-dependent world.” These are mystifying sentences when I compare them with the reality of what actually now obtains. The MEA asserts that it is committed to ‘safeguarding of domestic priorities of sustained growth’ etc. etc – the cliché phrases of the present Government. I appeal to the Government and I appeal to you, I appeal to the House that we need a real debate on the Ministry of External Affairs after all the Wikileak documents have finally emerged and we know the reality of how this policy is being managed. It is only then that the discussion on the Ministry of External Affairs will bear a relevance with actual reality.
I do not want to read and take the time of the House by further quotes from the excerpts of what the Ministry of External Affairs itself has said so let us proceed.
We need to address the question today under three levels. I personally think, the first and primary is the conceptual challenges that India faces today in addressing the concerns and challenges of today, globally and regionally. Also, I think, it is necessary to address what I call `the housekeeping issues’. Housekeeping issue principally are three at the moment. One is of course perennial shortage of interpreters and officers, which is there partly in the Ministry’s Report, this has always been there, and it is a telling fact, a sad fact that we do not have sufficient interpreters’ and officers’ strength. Therefore, for our country, a country like India, the number of Missions that we have, this is not sufficient.
There are other issues that have come up, and our distinguished Leader of the Opposition, Sushma ji has been rising this every time. It relates to the Tri-Valley University students who are currently in the United States of America. She very kindly gave me some of her correspondence. The Attorney who has been hired has written to the President of the United States of America. The issues are pointed and specific. There are some discrepancies between actuality and what the media is reported – the transfer is under process – this needs to be sorted out. The students have been in touch with our Embassy. Their Attorney is in touch with the President of the United States of America. Even today, three of the students are Radio Tagged on the ground that they do not have a landline telephone. This is unacceptable, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, particularly after hon. Minister having given assurances. It is clearly mentioned here that even today many of the students are under detention even after 33 days. I do appeal to the hon. Minister. We have official staff there; Consular staff is there; the Ambassador is there. Surely, it does not take 33 days for the voice of India to be heard particularly when a notice has been issued, and the kind of conversation and exchange that have taken place.
Now, students have also been asked to give bonds ranging from 3,000 to 15,000 US dollars. It is impossibility. Girls are also not being given consideration or relief. I do not want to labour this point as it has been raised a number of times. Please do address it, Mr. Minister.
I have also mentioned that there are, in a similar fashion, the victims of Katrina. I do not know the exact figure but it is said that around five thousand labour were, especially imported into Florida with assurances of nationality, employment, etc. Rather than any of that having been met, they are now running from pillar to post and there is nobody to help them. This again is a routine Consular action. May I appeal to you, Mr. Minister, please make an attempt? They are Indian citizens till such time as they acquire US nationality and they must be assisted.
Coming to the conceptual overview which I want to share, but before that as and I have served in the Ministry, please change the pattern of the Annual Report, to cover some atleast of the conceptual, too. It is a matter of approach to issues that is the present Report, I find somewhat deficient in that regard. I submit it, Sir, with a great sense of responsibility and restraint that India currently lives through possibly the most dangerous, the most unsettled, and the most uncertain period that we have experienced in the last 60 years. Our internal and external security is imperilled as never before. I would, as I proceed attempt to explain as to why I say so. So far as the internal security is concerned, indeed even the distinguished hon. Prime Minister has himself voiced a similar sentiment.
The second aspect of the conceptual, each of these I would elaborate, not at great length but briefly, please take note and I mentioned this to the Ministry of External Affairs, and it has distinguished and able officers; as if I examine the global situation, I find that as of the end of the Cold War, particularly after the conflict in the Balkan, which Balkan are really like a piece of indigestible med in the bowels of Europe; the entire aspect of conflict has begun to centre in Asia - whether it is a nuclear question or the questions of conflicts – all questions of Intra-State to International conflict, are focussed on Asia. It is Asia that is the focus and centre of gravity of global conflicts. It places India on a particularly important crossroad. And it is this crossroad, which I will refer to subsequently also. India, Sir, is located at the crossroad of collapsed Empires. Amongst the many Empires that collapsed in the 20th Century, the forces that collapsed have caused significant consequences for India. At the beginning of the 20th Century, the China dynasty collapsed and the whole of the East of India suffers, even today as a consequences of that. In the 1920s, the Ottoman Empire ended. I believe, it was that doctrine of cutting up of land of drawing lines in sand and creating states, through the Treaty of Versaillies and Services, as I said, was introduced partition and nations were born. This resulted in the end of the Mesopotamian campaign and the birth of artificial nations of which the third collapse in 1947 of the British Empire resulted in the partitioning of India. And the fourth was towards the end of the 20th century, the beginning of the decade of 1990s this was the Soviet empire. Each of these four empires and their collapse has left very serious consequences and India sits on the crossroads of the consequences of these collapsed Empires. If you examine, Mr. Minister, the challenges, conceptual or otherwise, in practical term, what we face today in India, by way of external challenges, it is the consequences of all these. I do not wish to elaborate the point. I have not the time; it is also perhaps not the occasion. But this is a global reality that we are today confronted with. This should disturb my friends in the Treasury Benches but that is true is a historical reality; it is proven by historical developments then,Sir, unlike any other policy of any Government, policies that deal with external relations, foreign policy have consequences that last over generations. Not so, the other policy matters, they can be corrected. May I say, with pain and submit to the House that India today suffers, along with the aspects that I have pointed out, conceptual or otherwise, the shift or the focus of central of gravity of conflicts, the crossroads of conflicts, we are today the inheritors of the collective and continuing mistakes of the ruling Congress Party.
Let me list them to you, Sir, very briefly. Firstly, I believe, a great wrong was done in the partitioning of the country in 1947. We continue to pay the price of that. The next was the problem of Jammu and Kashmir, which has remained unresolved and transferred to posterity, as a kind of continuing problem in India. The third – and I do not list them in terms of hierarchical importance, but just as the effect of them – was in the 1950s. Early during the Independence, we accepted the domination of the People’s Republic of China over Tibet and we continue to pay the price for that. Then, in the 1980s, we introduced Sri Lanka as an additional problem for India.
I remember it very well, Sir, and it saddens me immensely to now recollect it. Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, was the Prime Minister; I was even then a Member it does not delight me to say that this is my eighth term in Parliament. I remember mentioning this to the late Prime Minister. She was a very distinguished Indian. She was a personality who did not easily brook young Members of Parliament to questioning her. I had mentioned to her saying, “I hope, Madam, that the country’s Sri Lanka policy is not being formulated in Madras.” It was then called Madras. She was very irate. She got up and said, “What non-sense is the Member is talking?” It was an unparliamentary word, but I let it pass because the fact remains – you know that as well as I do – that we planted the seed of trouble, and we had planted it in such a fashion that just the other day, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka informed publicly that the LTTE camps are being run in India, still. Of course, he retracted from it and he withdrew it, but the mentality remains unaltered.
As we had dealt with the issue, I do not say this casually, all Governments would have dealt with it; but the earlier Government did deal with the issue of Sri Lanka; it did deal with the issue of our fishermen, but today the manner in which our fishermen are being shot, it is no longer a partisan issue. It is no longer an issue which we weigh in the scales of relative vote advantage. It is in that sense that Sri Lanka, today is one of the contributions of the Congress Party to the polity of India, as a continuing foreign policy problem.
As if that was not enough, then you introduced Nepal. I cannot conceive of a greater tragedy than the manner in which this very UPA Government handled the challenge that we continue face in Nepal, and the manner in which it has addressed it repeatedly. On several occasions, I sought to caution the hon. Prime Minister by saying, “Please do not travel this path; it is a path full of disasters.” I had also cautioned him, and then publicly said so that I find it very strange that the Government is now outsourcing the management of its foreign policy to distinguished representative of the Communist Party (Marxist). I do not wish to name him. He was sent as the Government emissary when the Maoists were ascendant in Nepal, to find an answer to what was happening. It is a great wrong that they have done; all these are great wrongs that they have done. I do not mean the hon. Minister personally; he is a later entrant. But all these great wrongs today weigh upon India and the citizens of India, who have inherited the consequences of those great wrongs.
Sir, I will now very briefly cover what is happening in each of our neighbourhood because principally it is a question of the neighbourhood. The Prime Minister has voiced his concern, I have on several occasions said so, that India’s neighbourhood is disturbed as never before in the last 63 years. If I am not mistaken, the distinguished Minister of External Affairs has also given voice to similar concern. This is not a value judgement. This is an assessment of the reality that we are today faced with. I cannot address this question fully until at first I share with you as to whatour neighbourhood is.
Neighbourhood is not just a geographical concept. I sit in your neighbourhood, hon. Minister, and this is also my neighbourhood. But there is also, strategic conceptual neighbourhood where the footprint of India is still visible. How can I treat Uzbekistan, as anything else but my neighbour because somebody from Andijan, Uzbekistan and I went to that village just to see who was this Babur who came and changed the course of my history? In Khiva I have found instances on Indian steps. In the middle of Vietnam there is a forgotten Kingdom called Champa. In Champa Chinese and Indian influences meat. They are all in our neighbourhood. We forget them today. I speak to my friend of the turmoil that today afflicts the Arab world. They say that they do not interfer as they are not ours. I am sure, the learned hon. Minister knows that till 1930 the legal tender in Kuwait was a rupee. In 1838 the first expeditionary force that went out of India was to Aden. It was East India Company that sent them.
I do not mind sharing with you, Sir, that during the Gulf War, I got reports, I had been shifted from MEA to Finance, that in Basra they were preferring the Indian Rupee rather than the Iraqi Dinar. I tried to put a stop to it because it was a completely uncontrolled currency movement. Why do I say this? Please do not under-estimate or under-define the great neighbourhood of India. In that great neighbourhood of India, there are great civilizations.
I used to inform and advise the distinguished members of the Ministry of External Affairs that the first country that Indians should visit is not the West or Russia but the great centres of civilisations like Baghdad, Turkey and Egypt. It is these three with which India has had historical relationship. They are our neighbourhood. That is why Sir, when I talk of neighbourhood policy I am talking of this entire region.
There is a reality which is that today the importance of the Atlantic that and the Pacific is declining. It is the Pacific and the Indian Oceans that will be the dominant oceans. It is to there that we have to readdress ourselves. I am sorry that I am raising all these because I find that the Ministry of External Affairs is doing only surface talking. I suppose it cannot be anything else.
I will very briefly talk about Nepal. We have brought about this disaster on ourselves and I think somewhere we are all collectively responsible. For me, to charge the UPA Government alone with this problem would be improper. We sit in this assembly and I do not find a single occasion when my friends or anyone of us has voiced a great concern about what is happening.
ऐसा कहा जाता है कि हमारे चार धाम पूरे नहीं होते हैं, जब तक हम पशुपतिनाथ के दर्शन न कर लें। आप उस नेपाल को लेकर आज यहां पहुंचे हैं। आपने स्वीकार किया है, आपके मत कुछ भी हो सकते हैं, आपका विचार कुछ भी हो सकते हैं, आपका धर्म जो चाहे आप रखें, लेकिन नेपाल अगर हिन्दू राज्य नहीं है, तो क्या है?
I raised this question earlier and I raise it again. I am astounded at the total unconcern of the UPA Government firstly at the changes that they have brought about in Nepal and secondly, as you know Mr. Minister, in the end of May the constitution-making efforts will collapse. I do not wish to name the hon. Prime Minister of Nepal or its Assembly or any other Nepal politician but you know very well that if at the end of May, there is no Constitution there, then going by all the arrangements that have already been arrived at between the Maoists and a break away faction of the United Marxist League, it is entirely possible that the Maoists are again in office in Nepal. What will happen then? What will happen to Nepal Army? If you permit the Maoisation of Nepal Army, you are causing such a great wrong to India which history will judge and never forgive you for. I do not wish to persist further.
I have excerpts here but I do not have time to go through them about where is Nepal heading. What is your initiative that you are taking to prevent disaster and particularly the Madhesi area? Of course, Nepal is our neighbour but it also adjoins Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. There is movement of people, the inter-marriages, cultural exchanges, etc. Varanasi was a great centre of learning for the people coming from Nepal.
I now wish to refer to Pakistan but before I do so, I wish to just add two more sentences. One is that I do along with all the other great wrong that has happened in Nepal because of the inaction of this Government, what you have done is as great a mistake as what was done in the fifties in Tibet. You have brought the people of the Republic of China almost to the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. If you do not reflect upon what I am saying, and if you do not reflect upon the consequences of the policy that you have talked about, then I am afraid history will judge you. I do not know where I will be but somebody from Rajasthan would still be here in this Assembly, or some of you would be here, I do not want that coming generations to suffer as we have suffered from the consequences of your earlier policies. So we created India’s Frankenstein Monster in Nepal. It is not my phrase. We know that this is the phrase that was being used by the then US Ambassador in Nepal. I am grateful to ‘The Hindu’ again for making it available to us. There is much more of this to come. The American Ambassador to Kathmandu says, if you like me to quote:
“We need to do more to keep the Indians in lockstep with us. I coordinate closely with my Indian counterpart here and in private he pushes the exact same message.” I will give you other examples. While in private the distinguished officers of the MEA often tried to correct what the political leadership here in Delhi was doing as they were unable to follow it. I do not want to keep labouring just this point.
Let me take you to Pakistan. More will come. I am struck by pointing out the anomalies of the policies on Pakistan. What exactly is your policy? It is because it is very confusing to move from one spririt to another. We were earlier informed that we are dictated by the Simla spirit and from the Simla spirit we kept moving till we came to the Sharm Sheikh and the latest I think, is now the Thimpu spirit. I am intrigued by the geographical delineation of our policy.
Sir, here I have the statement of the distinguished Ambassador of the United States of America who is informing his own country, about a person who is now the distinguished Governor of West Bengal, how after the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister of India, spoke of India’s “shared destiny” with Pakistan; the NSA, said “you have a shared destiny, we do not”. Now, if the National Security Advisor of India and the Prime Minister of India do not see eye to eye on as important question as Pakistan, then what do you expect us in the Opposition to be doing? Where are you standing as a Government? Is it as an individual when it comes to Pakistan?
Sir, I will read a portion as. I do not wish to give my personal views. I do have them I have worked for and I do aspire to have friendly and close and cordial relations with Pakistan because that is good for India, for Pakistan and for the region. But as one of the commentators recently pointed out, I cannot keep bowling straight, to talk in cricket terms because cricket seems to be the flavour of the mouth, playing by the rule, whoever we are trying to bowl, in this particular case Pakistan. But Pakistan will keep playing outside the crease, will keep bowling no balls and will keep saying it is not a foul and all that we will keep saying is we will revive spirits’ of old.
Sir, I felt very greatly when Pakistan was recently struck by unprecedented floods. After all, I live next door to Pakistan. My home, particularly, my maternal home is very close to the border. Sindh is part of our culture. It is our culture that has been in that part of Sindh – ‘thar par kar, nagar par kar’-- they speak our language, they wear our dress. So, I thought that I will contribute some money and send it to Sindh so that I am able to convey that I am a participant in your pain. I was told I cannot send it directly. I have to send it via Islamabad. This hurt me very greatly. I do not wish to contribute to Government. I did not wish to contribute to Pakistan Government, I wanted to contribute to the citizens of Sindh who have suffered. That is another thing. I do not wish to keep on harping on this point.
Sir, ‘George ka Khuda Hafiz’ is an article that has appeared recently in ‘The Express’ Tribune of Pakistan. George was a British citizen. He became a Pakistani citizen. This was upon invitation of the Pakistani Prime Minister. Recently, he wrote two articles, most movingly, very recently.
They are both titled ‘George ka Khuda Hafiz’. He said that he fell in love with Pakistan. I married in Pakistan and they “made me their citizen” but I do not any longer recognize the Pakistan that I am came to, so today in and he leaves Pakistan with a very sad heart. Why is he leaving Pakistan? If I quote, I quote freely from memory. This is a recent article. अभी लिखा है, ज्यादा दिन नहीं हुए हैं। He said that ‘Pakistan is skating on a thin ice’. Let me caution you. He is cautioning Pakistan. This is my great worry, it is a voiceless worry even here I say this with hesitation. Whether it is Pakistan or Afghanistan which I will cover in a moment, our policy is no longer ours. That Pakistan is essential to US policy is a given. You do not have to even debate it. I remember very well, Sir, I was already out of South Block and in the North Block when we had a visitor. I do not know whether I should name him or not. He was a US official then but his body was that of a body builder. He came to meet me in the Ministry of Finance I then told him that I have no anger against you, but you have greatly mis-judged. If I had anything to do with the management of India’s policy, I shall never-ever ask the United States of America for anything as far as Pakistan is concerned. This is on record. This, Sir, it was not a boast. I was then a representative of India. I appeal to you not to bank on the United States of America because we will find an answer with Pakistan left to ourselves. But you will never find answers if you try and find answers through the United States of America.
I will voice another fear. I will cover Afghanistan very briefly because I know that I am exceeding my time and I have to speak a little bit of at least the turmoil in the Arabian world and China, before I conclude. I had said earlier also that this subject is vast and the time at my disposal is very limited. But I say, Sir, that so far as Pakistan is concerned, I take serious objection to the new phrase that the United States of America has devised -AfPak. I know that they are given to all kinds of acronyms which they have devised for their convenience. It is of no convenience for India that two great neighbours like Afghanistan and Pakistan be called as AfPak. This is derogatory. Please do not ever refer to them like that because I know that in the coming Wikileaks document that will get published , we are referring to always as AfPak.
There is one more thing about Afghanistan. We were neighbours till the other day because the border of India went upto Waziristan . My father served in Waziristan as a soldier in those days. I do not wish to refer to distinguished Shri Lalji Advani’s childhood or birth in Karachi. We do not speak at second hand when we talk about Pakistan. We are talking at first hand of what Pakistan is all about. We do not need the United States to tell us about it. We speak the same language and with the same impulse that I am here. Though my friend, Sattar Saheb had objected to my saying that we speak the same language and he said नहीं जसवंत जी, हम एक बोली नहीं बोलते, हमें तो यह पंजाबी मार गई नहीं तो हम अरबी बोलने लगते। But we do speak the same language. So, as far as Afghanistan is concerned, I shared with my friend, in Pakistan and in Afghanistan, and I have a number of friends there. I had even said that I did not think that in these sixty years of Independence I will ever see a situation in which foreign troops are once again present in Pakistan and in Afghanistan. That should be the worry India should have because if you go down this line any further, Mr. Minister –Heavens forbid – if any of these foreign troops in any guise were to arrive in India in any fashion, it is a kiss of death. Please avoid it.
I know that the military cooperation with the United States of America is a very good thing. Why not? But it should be a cooperation between equal. I do not find much to commend the late Field Marshal Ayub Khan, but the title of his book is correct. It is “Friends Not Masters.” It should be friendship with the United States of America and it is that which should govern our relations with Afghanistan today. I do not have time to delve on that any more. I would leave it there because other occasions will arise, I hope.
I go to Iran. Iran is our neighbour. Mr. Minister, till 1947 our borders met at Baluchistan. We had a post, which we still have, in Zahedan. The cultural influence of Iran, the exchange between Iran and India, Roomi’s influence, the influence of the Islam that came in and the Islam that went back; the transformation of Islam; the Sufi thought, our relationships are many. But in addition to relationship, there is also essential energy requirement. This is what intrigues me. I am entirely unable to understand what made you to give up the ACU. I have the documents here of how the decision to vote against Iran was taken because that is now part of the Wikileaks document. You can access it. I do not wish to take the time in repeating all that. The Hindu, in its great service, has already published it. It is no good my assertomg that voting against Iran in the IAEA was a wrong decision. It was taken against the professional advice of the Ministry of External Affairs. It was taken after the hon. Prime Minister met with the former President, President Bush, had instructions and they went from Washington to Vienna how to vote in that. This is not a service to India. It is a disservice to India. Very recently you took a decision regarding the ACU, which was a system devised really for settlement of payment and the Asian Clearing Union, to which we are subscribers, we continue to observe because it facilitated transfer of hydro carbons from Iran to us. I personally hate to talk in first person singular. An agreement for gas pipeline from Iran was negotiated by me. I admit that I had a parochial interest because I wanted that pipeline to find an entry into Rajasthan. But that not withstanding, we abandoned the ACU. Could you please explain what persuaded you to abandon the ACU? I have no doubt in my mind that the Reserve Bank of India on its own could simply not have done it.
I have no time to talk about China and the challenge that China poses to us, has posed to us. I say it with great hesitation. In both the Houses of Parliament, Mr. Minister, I am the only Member of Parliament that in1962 was in uniform. As chance would have it, in 1962 my Regiment, though it was a Tank Regiment, and could not have done very much, of which I was Adjustant, was rushed to the North-East of India and we were pushed to Foot-Hills.
I was a young captain and for a young officer to meet defeat is the most galling experience that I can describe. There are not very many in the Army now, Mr. Minister that were in service then. … (Interruptions)
Sir, I realize it. I appreciate your caution. I will conclude within two or three minutes. The reason why I say it is please recognize the reality of China. A China that is unified, that has a centralized command of Government, will be an expansionist China. That is in the nature of China, you cannot change this. Please forgive me if I am reminding you. It is something that you have left to us as legacy. I have here with me the letters of late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. I have had these letters with me for many years. I did not print those letters in the book that I wrote out of deference to his memory. But it would sadden me to point out to you how in 1962, a very great Prime Minister of India, wrote then at the height of the conflict and today when I read them, it makes me cry as if I again a young officer. Let us not repeat the mistake. I fear that we are going down the path of the negligence of what China poses to us as a threat. It is a long-term threat. After all are destiny’s perennial twins. We will remain as neighbours. But China will continue to wish to dominate India, if you do not accept that that is the nature of China. When I speak of end of Ching dynasty in the beginning of the 20th Century, and when China begins to move apart centrally, then it cannot grow any longer. You have already given up a great deal of India. Please do not contribute further to giving up the pride of India when it comes to China.
Sir, I will conclude within two minutes by speaking on the Arabian turmoil. I wanted to talk about the nuclear question also because that is a great challenge that we face. Sir, will you permit me on the nuclear question? … (Interruptions)
Sir, what we are witnessing today in the Arabian world, it is really in a historical sense I believe, a kind of a consequence of the destruction of the Ottoman Empire. The nations of that time a 1920 Imperial Britain, sitting in Paris and deciding, drawing lines in sand. It is the illogic of that which now beginning to assert itself.
Sir, a great winter storm, a blizzard of violence today afflicts Libya, delaying the Arab spring of democracy, I do not know for how long this delay will remain. But they are all our neighbours. This is no longer the question. You do not have the choice of saying that we are far away. You are not far away. The questions that are being thrown up whether it is Egypt or Bahrain or Libya are questions being posed to India because the centres of gravity of conflicts have all shifted to Asia. We must answer them. Mr. Minister, please forgive me for pointing out that it is not within your authority to say that we do not wish to interfere. If you do not interfere, events will interfere with India. Please accept what I say. Please do intervene with consideration and caution, but you cannot be a bystander.
15.00 hrs. साहिल पर बैठे-बैठे ही मझधार की बातें करते हैं। You cannot sit on the shores and talk of the midstream of events in Arabia. I do wish to take just two minutes or, perhaps, one minute only on the nuclear question.
It is today the most important question that concerns us all globally. I say this as my personal view. It is not my Party’s view. I have not had a chance to discuss it with my party colleagues but personally I am of the view that the policy-framework that the NDA devised in 1998 is very greatly in need of revision because the situation that warranted the enunciation of the policy of “no-first-use” or “non-use against non-nuclear weapons,” “credible deterrence with minimum force”, etc. has long been overtaken by events. You cannot continue to sit in yesterday’s policy. We need to re-address it. Therefore, I ask you to please hold broader consultations, with whosever you want but do revise this policy.
There is another important and vital reason why I say this to be done. It is not good enough now. My friends from the Legislature of the United States of America tell me that Pakistan is already in possession of about 100-110 nuclear warheads that are deliverable whereas I know that India has 50 to 60. I do not know why we are keeping these facts as hidden. Why are we not having an open debate about this matter? Today, India has it in the region of 50 to 60 warheads. The United States of America does not know where the nuclear weapons of Pakistan are kept. It has better delivery system exported by China and North-Korea.… (Interruptions)
Mr. Minister, time will not wait for us. The answer to this is very important. I do wish to say that it is for this reason that I have today shared all this. For the last two years, I have been part of the ‘Global Zero’ effort by very eminent citizens of the United States of America, by Dr. Kissinger and others. It is not only that. I have also volunteered and become a part of the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. It is a great initiative of a very prominent Australian, Mr. Gareth Evans. Therefore, it is important that we address this question together; we address it with a sense of urgency and we address it today as important as today.
Let me conclude now. I would end my intervention here with this. Of course, I have no intention to move any Cut Motions to these Demands.… (Interruptions)
SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (KOLKATA UTTAR): This time, I think it is not two minutes. Now, it is minute only!… (Interruptions)
SHRI JASWANT SINGH : Yes. We have already in the second decade of the 21st Century. The challenges of the 21st Century confront us squarely. The essential and central challenge to India and the management of the foreign policy in this regard is this. The Ministry of External Affairs is a nodal Ministry. Mr. Minister, you have said here that one of the tasks that you are entrusted with is the security of India. The security of India is today multi-dimensional. As we move further into the 21st Century, you will find that the challenges of the 21st Century no longer fit into the idioms of the 40s or 50s or even the declining years of the 20th Century. Therefore, please address the challenges of tomorrow not even of today. Please do take us into confidence when it comes to nuclear question because these are vital questions, as Japan demonstrates today. These are questions of vital importance to humanity. It is on that note that I wish to conclude my intervention.
CUT MOTIONS DR. SHASHI THAROOR (THIRUVANANTHAPURAM): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to respond on the occasion of the Debate on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Before entering into the substance, may I also associate myself with the concerns expressed, at the beginning of the intervention, by the hon. Member, our distinguished former Foreign Minister, particularly about the tragedy in Japan, where, I am sure, all of us in this House share his concerns and lament the terrible catastrophe unfolding in that country as well as his reference to the loss of life suffered by two of our distinguished Ambassadors Shri Arif Mohammad Khan in Rome and Shri Raminder Jassal in Turkey. I knew them well. They were contemporaries of mine in Delhi University. I remember debating extensively with Shri Jassal. This is a great loss to our nation, of two fine diplomats and public servants. So I do want to associate, I think on behalf of those on this side of the House, with the concerns that Shri Jaswant Singh expressed. They are our concerns as well.
I would now like to turn to the substance of the issue before us. If I may say so, it is not a un-reconstructed internationalist that I would like to address this matter but rather as a Member of Parliament from Tiruvananthapuram, my constituency; which despite being the Capital of Kerala is still two-thirds a rural constituency, and as a Member of Parliament, like everyone else in this House, facing the domestic realities of our country. If I may say so, when Shri Jaswant Singh speaks of the conceptual challenges facing the Ministry, I think, the first conceptual challenge that we might all need to address is the answer to the very simple question: Why do we have a foreign policy?
15.06 hrs. (Shri P.C. Chacko in the Chair) Clearly, it is there to promote the security and well-being of the Indian people. But, in most specific terms, we must have a policy that facilitates the domestic transformation of India at tts extraordinary time when we are attempting our development in this globalised and inter-dependent world. We are facing the extra-ordinary challenge of pulling our people out of poverty and growing our economy, growing India to be the kind of the country that I think all of us in this House would wish to see. We must do this through our engagement with the world. We clearly need our Government, our leaders, to create a global environment that is supportive of our domestic needs. This is why, it seems to me that we have had a long-standing concern in the Ministry of External Affairs with the strategic autonomy of the Government of Indi, the right to make its own decisions. When world leaders say: “Are you with us or against us”, we simply tell them “Yes. We are with you when we agree with you, we are against you when we disagree with you.” That strategic autonomy is fundamental to our conduct of world affairs because we are interested principally in what benefits us and our own people.
Our relations with the major powers must reflect this. Indeed, we have to, in this particular economic context facing our country, have good relations with those countries which are important sources of trade and investment into our economy. We must have good relations with countries that are indispensable for our energy security. We must have good relations with countries that could be – if they are already not – important sources of food and water. This is why, it seems to me that we when we are looking at the big countries in the world and the important regions of the world, we can see an immediate domestic connection. When we look at the United States, for example, how can we overlook the importance of the civil- nuclear agreement as an important one to our energy security? When we look at China – I will come back to it in response to what the hon. Member said – how can we overlook the fact that this country, with which we fought a war less than five decades ago, is now our largest single trading partner? When we look at the Gulf and the turmoil in the Arab World – which I shall turn to later - how can we ignore the fact that they are collectively responsible for over 70 per cent of this country’s energy security in oil and gas? When we look at other parts of the world, we have to worry about where our food comes from which our growing middle class in this country demands better nutrition and more food more than we can grow on our soil.
We will have to look at our neighbours for sources of water and ensure that our country conducts skilful diplomacy to ensure that those sources of water are not interrupted.
Our links with the world, Mr. Chairman, it seems to me, are a vital factor in explaining our highest ever growth rates in the last couple of decades. If we did not have a Foreign Policy in the last few years that attended to these concerns, we would not be able to boast today of the kinds of percentages of growth that this House is so rightly proud of.
But even if our purposes are clear, Mr. Chairman, our relations with each of these countries are more complex and they have to go beyond a strictly narrow interpretation of our interests. After all, other countries have interests too. There has to be a certain bargaining, a certain give and take and, of course, we know the importance in our own daily lives of making friends before we need them and to cultivate friendship with key countries before we actually do need to cash in those chips is also an important aspect of our international responsibilities.
So, for the hon. Member to suggest that it is the US that makes policy in this country, I think, is most unfortunate. The fact that we maintain good relations with a country which still is the world’s sole Super Power, though it is an adjective that it is in danger of losing very soon, is something we ought to be proud of. That a country of such importance in the world values its own relationship with India is something that, it seems to me, we should accept on our terms and we are doing so.
Sir, the hon. Member quoted extensively from WikiLeaks which are, essentially, conversations involving American Ambassadors reporting to their Capital. He knows, after his distinguished tenure in the Ministry, that there are grave limitations to such documents as sources. First of all, they represent one side of the reporting. Secondly, they are out of context; they may not even represent the totality of the inputs available to the policy makers who receive these cables. Thirdly, they omit the other complementary inputs from the sources they are citing. For example, if a US Ambassador cites a conversation with an Indian official, he is, nonetheless, also failing to report the views of other Indian officials conveyed to other US officials. So, with greatest of respect, I would suggest to the hon. member that he give less importance to a collection of leaked cables, selective and limited as they are.
But to remain at the conceptual stage for a little while, since the hon. Member took us through his conceptual concerns, we live, Mr. Chairman, in a world of a couple of significant paradoxes. The first is that we are living in a world where the forces of globalisation have pulled all of us together much more intimately than ever before and, at the same time, the forces of violence and terrorism are pulling us apart more than ever before. So, the twin forces of disruption and convergence are part of the reality within which our Government must navigate.
In addition, we are witnessing a significant change. With the end of the Cold War and with the end of the bipolar world in which the United States and the Soviet Union divided the globe amongst themselves and conducted a Super Power stand off, that gave way to about two decades of a unipolar world where, essentially, the only Super Power on the globe that mattered was the United States, now we may be witnessing a transformation of that too to an increasingly multipolar world. We are not there yet. So far, the rise of China is the most significant factor. But some of us are not far behind. India, Brazil, Russia and other countries like South Africa, perhaps, will soon be reckoned with as States who are poles in their on right, at least in their own regions, if not in the global scale.
History tells us, and I know that the hon. Member is particularly well versed in the history of strategic doctrines, that emerging multipolar systems are likely to be more unstable than bipolar or even unipolar systems. And a great challenge for our Ministry, particularly since we are one of the rising powers and that others may not be so keen on seeing us rise, is to navigate our way through the shoals of this transformation in a way that is attentive of the needs of our country.
India’s role in the world is changing. It is changing visibly and measurably since the days when the fundamentals of our foreign policy were laid down. On that, I think, I have no disagreement with the hon. Member.
Our new economic profile is a significant factor in that change. Our more dispersed interests, it is clear that our interests are far more widespread around the globe then they have been for some time. The expectations of other countries which are looking to us; increasingly there are small countries in our neighbourhood, but even as far away as Africa looking to us for support and even security. There are big countries looking to us to shoulder some of the burdens of international responsibility. In adition, of course, there is a crying need on the global stage for leadership in the stewardship of the global commons. All of these represent significant changes for India, but also significant opportunities for our country, which we must seize.
Without necessarily abandoning Non-alignment, whatever be the historical circumstances from which that has emerged, we are increasingly complementing our Non-alignment with multi-alignment. We are simultaneously active in the United Nations and the G-20, the universal body as well as, if you like, an elite body of the world’s largest economies.
We are active in the Non-Aligned Movement and in the Conference of Democracies. We are active in the South-Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as well as the Commonwealth. We are part of the Russia-India-China RIC and Brazil added to that BRIC, we now have IBSA, the India-Brazil-South African nexus and in Copenhagen, a year ago, we saw the emergence of BASIC. What is interesting in all of these formulae that is the only country in common to all of them is India. We stand at the fulcrum of all of these transformations. Indeed, even though, by no stretch of the imagination can we be considered an East-Asian country, we have now been given a role at the East-Asian Summit as well.
This speaks, it seems to me, Mr. Chairman, of a country whole foreign policy has been adept, has been flexible, has been adaptive to the new demands of the world order and which at the same time has been able to take on new responsibilities and new challenges in this way.
We are now, I think, increasingly moving from a perhaps obsessive focus on our own strategic autonomy to exercising responsibility on the global stage; to believing that we are capable of contributing to the making of global rules and even one day of helping to enforce them. That is a conceptual vision for our policy, for our place in the world, that is worthy of our country with the economic strength and the political aspirations that this House, I know, shares.
As part of that process, Mr. Chairman, we have witnessed last year the election of India, a great triumph for the Ministry of External Affairs, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council by a record margin of 187 votes out of 190 cast. This margin, this victory, is a reflection of the respect with which India is held in the world. Many other countries were elected at the same time, including some perhaps more powerful than us economically, and yet none of them received the votes we did. Not only that, we have, at the beginning of this year, been elected to chair the UN’s Counter-Terrorism Committee, a recognition again of the expertise, the competence and the fair-mindedness we bring to this single minded pursuit that we all have to bring terrorism internationally to justice.
Mr. Chairman, mentioning the Security Council, we have to, of course, mention the progress being made by the Ministry in advocating reform of the Security Council. We all acknowledge, I think, that this is a Council whose composition reflects the geo-political realities of 1945 and not of 2011. We need to seek significant changes and those changes are being pushed forward by our colleagues in the Ministry of External Affairs with tremendous determination and gumption. We have had a significant move away from the so-called Open Ended Working Group of the Security Council, which became a never-ending Working Group, Mr. Chairman. We have moved to the plenary of the General Assembly and India has been responsible for encouraging the facilitator incharge of that process, Afghanistan, to come up with a draft resolution, which can move the discussion forward in a tangible concrete direction.
I think we should be pleased with that. We recognize, of course, that this is not going to be easy. It will take time. Security Council reform is like a malady in which all the doctors gather around the patient; they all agree on the diagnosis but they cannot agree on the prescription. Even if we all agree that the diagnosis is that the patient needs to be cured, the prescription has to be something which, first of all, passes the United Nations General Assembly with a two-thirds vote; 128 countries out of 192 have to vote for it. And then this has to be ratified by two-thirds of the members of the United Nations, by their Parliaments because ratification is a Parliamentary process including the Parliaments of all five present Permanent Members. It means tnat you need a formula that is simultaneously acceptable to two-thirds of the world and is not unacceptable to the five big powers whose authority you are trying to dilute. This is why, it has turned out to be so difficult, so elusive. But I believe progress is being made, and we should encourage our Ministry of External Affairs to pursue this effort so that India rightly finds a place at the high table on international peace and security issues. The same is true, I would argue, Mr. Chairman, for the so-called ‘Bretton Woods Institutions’, the World Bank, the IMF, where we have to play a significant role in shifting the weightage of the voting authority, the voting power given to the rich and developed countries moving it away towards the so-called transition economies and the developing world. It is no longer possible to have a world in which these institutions exist as if they reflect the wishes of the rich countries to supervise the economic delinquency of the poor. After the recent global financial crisis, it is very clear that perhaps the Western economies could do with some supervision by us as well. The problems originated there and I think many of the countries that have survived the global economic crisis have been the countries of the developing world. Perhaps there is a lesson that we can teach the rich countries in the process.
The roots of this international role that we seek to play go back to our moment of independence, go back to the famous ‘tryst with destiny’ speech of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at the midnight moment when our country came into being. It is because even while that historic moment was occurring while the flames, the fires of partition were blazing across the land, Nehruji in that speech talked about the importance of his dreams not only for India but for the world. Because he said, and I quote from memory, that all the nations of the world are knit together indissolubly and that the problems of peace cannot be divided just as indeed the problems and the threats that the world represents cannot be separated from each other. But it was typical of that great nationalist, and he was simultaneously an internationalist, that he spoke for an India which was responsible and conscious of its place in the world. I think that legacy that he has left us is one that we must carry forward in the changed circumstances of today. There is a need for a ‘system redesign’ of the world that he saw coming into being at the moment of India’s independence. Global governance is a buzz world that everyone talks about in the international system. For that global governance to be meaningful, India must play its due part in it. It is striking that the rest of the world clearly sees that because as you all know, last year we became perhaps the only country, I believe indeed the only country in the world the leaders of all five of the present Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council came visiting. We had visits from the leaders of China, the US, Britain, France, and Russia all coming to our country, a reflection, it seems to me, of exactly how important we are to determining the future of the world.
I was a bit disturbed when the hon. Member said that our neighbourhood is as disturbed as never before. I would respectfully suggest that just three or four years ago, we could have said the neighbourhood was far more disturbed. At that point, there was a civil war raging in Sri Lanka; Bangladesh had just been overcome by a military takeover which had put the elected politicians in Jail; the Maldives was in the throes of serious trouble against the long-term President with the principal dissident in jail; Nepal of course was just emerging from the Maoist insurrection.
Bhutan was going through the convergence of a change from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy; Afghanistan was in the midst of civil war; and Pakistan has undergone the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. All of these were the environment that confronted India in our very tough neighbourhood. I would argue, Mr. Chairman, that if anything, the neighbourhood is much better for us today; there is a much more positive environment. In Bangladesh we have seen the election of a democratic Government that is well disposed to India and that is cooperating with us. In Sri Lanka, we have seen the end of the brutal civil war and the gradual restoration of political rights and process to the people, particularly the Tamil people of Sri Lanka, who must have an honoured place in that society. In Maldives, the former dissident who was in jail has now been elected as the President of that country, and he has made it very clear that his priority is good relations with India.
Yes, of the others that I listed, some countries are in the process of important change, but Bhutan has managed its change very well. And on top of that, our contribution in developing the hydro electric capacity of Bhutan has paid wonderful dividends both for Bhutan and for ourselves. We get electricity but Bhutan is able, as you know, Mr. Chairman, to have a considerable increase in its GDP. The generation of electricity has now overtaken tourism as a single largest contributor to GDP of Bhutan. I think, we get some credit for that in this country and to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Nepal, I think, we all understand the importance of that issue, as the hon. Member has also put it. It requires sustained effort, and I believe that this Ministry and this Government are capable of that sustained effort. There is no question, however, that nobody in this country, nobody in this House is in any way for, what you call, the ‘Maoization’ of the Nepalese Army. I think, it would be a straw man to suggest that somehow the policies of the Government of India or the Ministry of External Affairs would lead to that conclusion. It is very clear that it is not an outcome that we, in this country, would tolerate.
Afghanistan, of course, remains a huge challenge. But Afghanistan is a challenge, again to which we have been rising, Mr. Chairman. We have spent 1.2 billion US dollars, and that is our largest single economic assistance programme to any country in the world. We have budgeted up to two billion dollars for this struggling neighbour. We have spent it usefully. It has not been spent on military adventures. It has been spent on such essential things as a road across south western Afghanistan that permits Afghanistan to trade directly with Iran, and not only through Pakistan. It has been spent on constructing a 3,000 metres high electricity wire that actually transmits electricity from Uzbekistan to Kabul. So, Kabul, today, has 24 hours, seven days of week electricity, thanks to Indian engineers.
It has been spent on reviving maternal and child health hospitals, in reconstructing girls schools, and today in the process of building the Afghan Parliament, which we all hope will be a symbol of Afghan democracy and of India’s determination to support the Afghan people in constructing their own future destiny.
With all of that, I think, the alarm that has been expressed is unnecessary. I will come to Pakistan where, I think, we have very little, not yet said in this House, but which needs to be addressed. But if I can just mention in passing that perhaps the best symbols of the progress being made in our immediate neighbourhood is not in any diplomatic effort per se though the Ministry is involved, but in two academic efforts; the creation of the South Asian University in Delhi which will be opened to students from across our sub-continent and the establishment of Nalanda University in Bihar which will revive a University that till the 8th Century AD used to receive students from China, Japan, Korea. Foreign countries used to send their students to India before Oxford or Cambridge or Harvard were even a gleam in anybody’s eye. By creating again, recreating Nalanda University we should be able to revive that moment and stand once again as a symbol of excellence in our own Region.
But when we turn to Pakistan, Mr. Chairman, of course, that is an important concern. Our hon. Member, former Foreign Minister mentioned it. We are living with a country which undoubtedly poses us significant challenges because of its own internal arrangements. In our country, in India, the State has an Army. In Pakistan, the Army has a State.
The fact is that in Pakistan, you do not join the Army to defend the country; you join the Army to run the country. You join the Army not only to serve in the Army but to do import-export, run petrol stations, run real estate developments even head universities and think tanks, all are in the hands of Army officers. There is a excessive domination of that country and that society by the military. There is a domination, which is unparalleled in the world. There is no Army anywhere in the world that has a larger share of its country’s GDP or its Government’s regular Budget than the Pakistani Army.
So, to justify such an unnatural and disproportionate degree of influence, Pakistan needs unfortunately an enemy – preferably two enemies -- one on either side; but if not, certainly an enemy in us. This is something that none of us, I believe, on either side of this House, will want to discount or diminish. We cannot forget our history and we can certainly not ignore our geography. Pakistan is next door to us and the reality of Pakistan is as tangible as a thorn pierced into our flesh. But having said that, I must disagree with the hon. Member on his questioning the Ministry on the Thimphu spirit and the decision to talk. Not talking, quite simply, is not a policy.
Immediately after the horrors of 26/11, the attack on Mumbai, it made sense to show our deep disapproval and dismay at the failure of the elected civilian Government of that country to control the terrorists, who came to our country to wreak such havoc. It was right, at that point, to suspend the talks and indeed, to use the suspension of talks, as the source of leverage, including by pressing others, the paymasters of Pakistan, friends of Pakistan, to use their own diplomatic leverage to get Pakistan to conform with the expectations of India. I might say that it had a significant initial impact, because I have no doubt that India’s outrage and the sympathy for India on the part of the other countries, definitely contributed to some of the initial moves in Pakistan. The arrest of Zakir ur Rahman Lakhvi and six of his co-conspirators was certainly a result of this pressure.
But now, Mr. Chairman, the policy of not talking has stopped delivering results. The era of diminishing returns has long since set in. In fact, if anything, it gives us an illusion of leverage, which masks the dangerous reality, that our not talking, no longer gives us any leverage. I think it is extremely important that we recognise that by refusing to talk to our next door neighbour, while it professes its willingness to talk and cooperate with us, merely gives us the appearance of intransigence and unaccommodativeness in the eyes of the rest of the world, without giving us any tangible benefits in return.
So, I strongly support the Ministry and the Prime Minister in their efforts to resume this dialogue. It is not talking that is the problem; it is what we talk and when we talk that matters. There, I hope that our Ministry of External Affairs will take a strong line on these issues that are not negotiable, of our nation’s security and its honour, that we will demand of Pakistan better behaviour in terms of curbing the activities of those on its soil who wish to do India harm that it will demand compliance from Pakistan with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, which forbid, for example, the passage of terrorists or actions to fund the terrorist, to arm the terrorists, but also prohibit incitement. What is Mr. Hafiz Saeed doing in Pakistan if he is not inciting people to commit acts of terrorism against India? I certainly hope that our Ministry will proceed to stand up in these talks for the great necessity of compliance with these Resolutions and with the expectations of the International Community as well as ourselves.
We are fundamentally, Mr. Chairman, a status quo power. We wish to be allowed to get on with our development. We do not wish to engage in military adventures. I would say with great respect to the hon. Member, who just spoke, that intransigence or the path of confrontation will not get us anywhere that we need to go. Our principal obligation, going back to what I began with, is the domestic transformation of our country, the development of our country, pulling our people out of poverty; and we can do that best through maintaining a peaceful environment and through talking as long as people are prepared to talk.
Of course, I would agree with the hon. Member when he said that Pakistan is skating on a this ice. But when Pakistan is skating on a thin ice, should we break a hole in that ice or should we actually help it skate off the ice? Should we, in fact, continue with our approaches of making asymmetrical gestures across the Sub-Continent? You all know many years ago--and it was not the UPA Government that did this--but a Government of the so-called United Front that offered a Most Favoured Nation trading status to Pakistan which to this day has not been reciprocated but it has been maintained by the NDA Government; it has been maintained by the UPA Government, and it is a gesture of magnanimity on India’s part, which I think, therefore, can be said, to have the blessing of all sections of this House. That is a sort of policy that successive Governments have supported, stretching out the hand of friendship to Pakistan, not because Pakistan is of worthy of it but because it is important for us to be worthy of ourselves.
Let me turn to China since the hon. Member did have a few things to say about that. I would like to recall his phrase, “Let us recognise the reality of China.” And I am very, very deeply respectful of his own service in the tragic 1962 war as a soldier fighting for our country’s honour. But I must say that the reality of China of 2011 is not the reality of 1962. The fact is that today’s China is a country with which we have had 51 billion dollars of trade in the last fiscal year. By the end of this month, the figure might be 60 billion dollars for this fiscal year, and the Prime Minister of China has come here and spoken of 100 billion dollars by 2015. We are talking about a China where we have 7000 Indian students studying now. We did not have any in 1962. We are talking of a China which has been permitting our pilgrims to travel to Kailash and Mansarovar. We have been talking of a China which has allowed Indian companies to open branches in Shanghai and Huangztiou and indeed Chinese companies are trying to come into India, do projects, do important work in our power sector and indeed offer consumer goods as well.
So, all of this is happening from China and I think that is the reality that we should focus on. That does not mean we are being complacent. We are conscious that we have the world’s longest unresolved frontier dispute with China. It is extremely important that we will be attentive to the occasional noises of belligerence being uttered by the Chinese on Arunachal Pradesh. But India and this Ministry, it seems to me, have been extremely strong in standing up for India’s rights.
Our Prime Minister has visited and campaigned in Arunachal Pradesh. The Dalai Lama, despite Chinese warnings, was able and allowed to go to Arunachal Pradesh and speak there, and of course, India has at no point compromised. I certainly hope that our hon. Minister of External Affairs will make a visit to Arunachal Pradesh before long to send a very clear signal that this territory is India’s and will not, in fact, be negotiable.
But having said that, as long as our defence preparedness is adequate, China has far too much a stake in its economic relationship with India to be tempted to engage in any sort of military adventure. I do not think we should fear China. Mr. Chairman, I think we should be confident and strong and look the Chinese in the eye and say, come and enjoy our market as long as you do not misbehave when our direct interests are affected on the border.
We should speak, of course, beyond China. Of the rest of East Asia, there is not much to say, except that our relations are excellent. I mentioned the East Asian Summit already, but one more domestic fact, since I keep talking about the domestic connection, is that our Look-East Policy will also help the development of our North Eastern States, a part of our country, which sadly has been, in many ways, left behind in India’s dramatic story of development. The North-Eastern States will benefit if we can have road, rail and river connectivity through Myanmar into the rest of South East Asia and to ASEAN, and we must, therefore, see the benefits of that.
The hon. Member mentioned the Arab turmoil. Very simply, Mr. Chairman, this is the result of four factors. First, you do have in the Arab world longlasting regimes with no possibility of change and no possibility of expression of another view. Mr. Gadhafi has been in power for four decades, Mr. Mubarak, for nearly three decades, the former Tunisian leader, Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali, for over two decades and in those circumstances, the lack of an outlet inevitably brought matters boiling to a head. Secondly, there was a demographic bulge. There is a large population of young men who have grown up in these countries not knowing any other rulers.
They are victims of the third factor which is economic failure. The unemployment of young men in a country with no prospective political change has led us to the situation in which the fourth factor came into play and that is the information revolution. Not just Facebook and Twitter as our western media has been saying, but rather satellite television – Al Jazeera showing in one country what is happening in another country – mobile telephones which can be used to organise people getting together to protest, all of this have brought the situation to a head. What is India’s interest in this? Very clearly these are countries with which we have had important relations, but none of the three situations has significantly affected us, with the exception, of course, to some degree, of Libya which is a major source of our energy security.
Rather, if you look to the Arab world as a whole and particularly to the countries of the Gulf, there are three things of concern to us. The first is our energy security. We need oil and gas. The second is, as a potential source of investment many countries of the Gulf have an investible surplus which we would like to attract to our challenges of development in this country. But, third is the presence of our Indians there. Overseas Indians are a legitimate responsibility of our Government. We have large numbers of Indians in the Gulf countries. Fortunately, so far none has been seriously affected. Of course, in Bahrain we must monitor the situation very carefully and I am sure the Ministry is doing so. But in Libya what we saw when Indians were affected was a Herculean and extremely effective effort by the Ministry of External Affairs to evacuate our Indian nationals from that country. I think we should congratulate the Ministry for what has been done – the Ambassadors on the ground, the coordinators here in New Delhi and those who made the policy and executed, the cooperation of other Ministries including the Navy in the Defence Ministry – all of this speaks very well of our sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of our citizens in foreign lands. I do want to commend our Government and our concerns for the well being of Indians elsewhere. Should the problem spread elsewhere in the Arab world, I am sure we will be seriously attentive to the needs of our citizens.
Iran was mentioned by the hon. Member. I again must object to the terms in which he did so. Yes, we have a wonderful civilizational relationship with Iran. But that does not mean that we have to agree with everything that Iran does. Nor does it mean that if we take a position of principle that it is somehow at the behest of some other third power. There is no question that it is not in India’s interest to see new nuclear powers in our neighbourhood. India as a country that has traditionally stood for values of international law and for honouring every word of a treaty is fully justified to vote against Iran if Iran is in blatant violation of its own solemn signed commitments to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s requirements with regard to its nuclear programme. If Iran violated it and India said you are wrong, as a responsible member of the Board of Governors of IAEA, India, I believe, did the right thing. I think the hon. Member does us a disservice in saying this is done at the behest of any other country. I believe India acts in its own interest and in this case our own interest in unambiguous.
I do want to mention a couple of places that the hon. Member did not mention. Africa very clearly is extremely important to our country. We have long had solidarity with the countries of Africa. We are in a couple of months’ time going to have the Second India Africa Forum Summit in Ethiopia. We have been making a significant contribution to some things that perhaps we do not know about in this House, like the Pan-African e-network. Indian satellites are connecting more than 40 African countries by e-mail, by satellite connectivity and by telephone. It is an extraordinary contribution that is deeply appreciated by the African countries. This explains why in the Demands for Grants we can see that 36 per cent of the MEA’s budget is actually destined to technical cooperation. We are extending an arm of friendship. We are doing so at very generous concessional rates. We cannot match China in terms of grants. But we can give concessional loans and it is right that we should do that and give our assistance to countries which in many ways look at us with admiration.
It is certainly true that China is a bigger player in Africa. It is certainly true that the West has been a bigger player in Africa. But when African leaders look at those countries, they do so with a certain degree of distance and awe. When they look at us they see a country that is familiar to them. They see India as a country not unlike Africa, not unlike the experience of those African countries and yet we have succeeded where they have not in overcoming some of these problems. So, they are very anxious to cooperate with us as they feel if India can do it, may be so can we do it.
There is a tremendous cultural affinity. I cannot tell you the number of African leaders from my UN days to the present -- the Prime Ministers, the Foreign Ministers and the Presidents -- who have told me of their joy as children growing up in Africa and looking forward to the arrival of Bollywood films to their nearest town. This too is part of the cultural impact of India.
We must speak of the soft power of India in this context. The fact that our films are not just going to the diaspora of Indians in the UK or US, but they are also going to the screens of Arabs, Africans, Syrians and Senegalese. I would like to tell this House about a Senegalese gentleman I met in New York who told me that his illiterate mother takes a bus once a month every month to the capital city of Dakar just to watch a Hindi film. She cannot understand Hindi. She is illiterate, so she cannot read the French sub-titles, but she sees the film. Our films, as you know, are made to be understood despite such handicaps, and she enjoys the song, dance and action. The result is that she leaves with stars in her eyes about India. In fact, I was told by an Indian diplomat posted in Syria some years ago that the only posters there that were as large as those of the then President Hafez al-Assad anywhere displayed in Damascus were those of Amitabh Bachchan. We have, in our country, assets that we give insufficient respect to, but which are also parts of our foreign policy.
I think that it is extremely important to recognize, for example, that in Afghanistan our biggest asset was never military. We never had a significant military presence other than a few soldiers to protect our road crews. Until last year, you could never call an Afghan at 8.30 in the evening. Why was it so? It was because that was the time when the Indian soap opera ‘Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ dubbed into Dari was being telecast in Afghanistan and everyone wanted to watch it. It is because in a conservative Islamic society where family problems are often literally hidden behind the veil, an Indian television show offered the one opportunity they had to discuss family issues. It became so popular that there were actually reports of official functions being missed by people watching the show at 8.30, and wedding banquets being interrupted so that people could gather around the television sets rather than pay attention to the bride and groom. And the Mullahs were objecting to the contents of these shows. But what was striking was that even crime went up at 8.30 because apparently the watchmen were busy watching the TV rather than minding the store. Now, this is the impact of India in Afghanistan.
We have impacted in other ways through our culture, Yoga, Ayurveda. We can talk very very simply about our cuisine, which is spread around the world. There is no corner of the globe today where you cannot find an Indian restaurant. Indeed, in Britain, today, Indian restaurants employ more people than the coal mines, ship building and iron and steel industries combined. So, the British Foreign Secretary could actually declare that the national dish of Britain is Chicken Tikka Masala.
Now, the fact is that all of this may not be directly due to the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs, but they are part of the soft power of India; the cultural diplomacy that the Ministry through ICCR supports. And part of that is the values of our country, our democracy, our management of diversity, and the principles laid down to us from the days of Gandhiji and Nehruji.
Let me take an example. Before I entered politics, when I was at the UN, I was travelling in the Gulf countries at the time of the elections of 2004 and people were astonished that here in India we had an election being won by a woman political leader of Roman Catholic background who then made way for a Sikh gentleman to be sworn in as the Prime Minister by a Muslim President in a country 80 per cent Hindu. This is India, and this stands us great stead in the world. We are respected for reflecting the management of diversity rather than descending into conflict within our own society. All of this is important.
The side that prevails in the world today or the world of tomorrow will not always be the side with the bigger army. It will be the side that tells the better story, and India must be the land that tells a better story to the world.
I would agree with the hon. Member who spoke that our soft power needs hard power as well to back it, and I think that it is extremely important that our diplomacy should be supported by an extremely efficient and effective security apparatus and a strong defence policy. But for the distinguished former Foreign Minister to put up a straw man by referring to the prospect of foreign troops coming into India, I think, is really beyond the pale and I would respectfully suggest that he withdraw that thought. Nobody in this Government and nobody in this Ministry would, I am sure, take any steps that would result in the arrival of foreign troops on the Indian soil.
Having said that, Mr. Chairman, I would like to bring this to a close by simply saying that we must be aware, in this increasingly globalizing world, that our security, our future, depends not only on our troops or our national security efforts, they depend on our foreign policy, and they depend on the effectiveness of the Ministry of External Affairs. Even our jobs here are made possible because of licences and access from foreign countries and foreign markets. Our jobs are made possible because of an effective international system maintained through our effective diplomacy and through our effective foreign policy. Our country, in this globalizing world, cannot afford to be indifferent to the rest of the world, cannot afford to neglect our neighbours, and I would agree with the distinguished former Foreign Minister that our neighbourhood is far more than just the immediate countries of South Asia. We must have productive relations focussed on our national interest with all these countries. I believe the Ministry is doing a very good job of that.
I would add, however, that all of us in this House support the need for far more personnel in the Ministry of External Affairs. I think we need more Ambassadors, more Diplomats, more professional officers, more translators, more people with language skills, and we definitely need to have, without any question, a possibility to admit mid-career people from other streams to participate in our foreign policy-making, so that the Ministry of External Affairs can be fully worthy of a major global power of the Twenty-first century, which is what India will be.
I would then conclude by returning to the yardstick which I had spoken, Mr. Chairman, at the beginning- that our foreign policy should be measured by our effectiveness in facilitating, through our international engagement, the domestic transformation of India. If our foreign policy, as I believe I have argued, does that, then I think we have every reason to congratulate the Ministry and, therefore, I commend to you its Demands for Grants for this fiscal year.
श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव (मैनपुरी):सभापति जी, आपको धन्यवाद। आज विदेश नीति पर बहस हो रही है। विदेश नीति देश की वह अच्छी होती है जो अपने देश के हितों के पक्ष में हो और विश्व में अधिकाधिक समर्थन की कसौटी पर यदि हम कसेंगे, माननीय जसवंत सिंह जी ने भी इशारा किया था, हम खरे नहीं उतरेंगे। वह बात मैं बाद में कहूंगा कि अमेरिका की कितनी मदद आपको मिलेगी, अमेरिका की हालत क्या है, यह भी पता चलेगा।...( व्यवधान)
महोदय, मैं कह रहा था कि विदेश नीति का मतलब है अपने देश के हितों की रक्षा करना। क्या इस कसौटी पर हम खरे उतरेंगे? इस मामले में पूरा सदन एक है क्योंकि यह देश की सुरक्षा का सवाल है, सीमा की सुरक्षा का सवाल है, इसलिए हम कह सकते हैं कि पूरा सदन इस मामले में एक रहेगा और रहा है। इसी सदन ने प्रस्ताव पारित किया था वर्ष 1962 की लड़ाई के बाद कि चीन ने हमारे एक लाख वर्ग किलोमीटर जमीन कब्जा कर ली है, जब तक चीन हमारी जमीन वापस नहीं देगा, तब तक हम चीन से कभी कोई बात नहीं करेंगे। मैं पहला सवाल पूछना चाहता हूं कि फिर क्या वजह है, चीन से बातचीत क्यों हो रही है? इसी सदन ने प्रस्ताव पास किया है, इसी संसद ने पास किया है। जब विदेश मंत्री जी का जवाब आए, तो यह अवश्य बताएं कि चीन से बातचीत के बारे में आप इस सदन के प्रस्ताव से क्यों हटे? जहां तक तिब्बत का सवाल है, वर्ष 1950 में ही राजेन्द्र बाबू और डा. राम मनोहर लोहिया ने कहा था कि हिन्दुस्तान को तिब्बत के मामले में हस्तक्षेप करना चाहिए, तिब्बत को चीन लेना चाहता है।
लेकिन नेहरू जी ने उस बात को स्वीकार नहीं किया था, क्यों नहीं किया, मुझे नहीं पता। अगर आपको पता है तो आप बताएं। उसी वक्त से हिन्दुस्तान की सीमा को खतरा पैदा हो गया था। आप कहते हैं कि अमेरिका हमारी मदद करेगा। अमेरिका ने साफ कह दिया है कि पाकिस्तान की कीमत पर हम भारत के साथ नहीं रह सकते। यह एलान उन्होंने पूरी दुनिया के सामने किया है और आप कह रहे हैं कि अमेरिका आपके साथ है। पाकिस्तान और हिन्दुस्तान के रिश्तों के मामले में अमेरिका पूरी तरह पाकिस्तान के साथ है और हिन्दुस्तान के खिलाफ है। तब भी आप सफाई देते हैं कि अमेरिका भारत की मदद करेगा, जबकि अमेरिका की स्थिति खुद इतनी खराब हो चुकी है कि वहां 12 फीसदी लोग बेरोजगार हो गए हैं और पांच करोड़ अमेरिकियों को खाने के लिए पैसे नहीं हैं, जबकि आज भारत की स्थिति अच्छी हो रही है। यहां तक कि चीन ने अमेरिका की आर्थिक मदद की है। अब आप ही सोच सकते हैं कि अमेरिका हमारी क्या मदद करेगा, जो खुद आर्थिक संकट में फंस चुका है। इस दृष्टि से देखा जाना चाहिए कि भारत कहां खड़ा है।
सभापति महोदय, भारत की विदेश नीति क्या है, मैं उस पर कुछ कहना चाहता हूं। विदेश नीति वही अच्छी मानी जाती है, जो अपने देश के हित में हो। लेकिन आपने ऐसी विदेश नीति का पालन नहीं किया है। जब इराक पर हमला हुआ और सद्दाम हुसैन मुसीबत में फंसे तो आपने उनकी मदद नहीं की। सद्दाम हुसैन भारत के समर्थक थे। वह तानाशाह जरूर थे, लेकिन हमेशा किसानों की बात करते थे। हिन्दुस्तान को काफी मात्र में इराक से तेल आता था। जब हमें तेल की जरूरत पड़ी, जब लड़ाई के मैदान में तेल की जरूरत पड़ी, तो उन्होंने हमारी मदद की और तेल दिया। उस समय हमने सदन में इस बात का एलान किया था कि इराक का साथ दो, अमेरिका इराक के साथ गलत काम कर रहा है, लेकिन आपकी ऐसा करने की हिम्मत नहीं पड़ी। उस समय सारे साथियों ने कहा था कि इराक पर हमला हो रहा है, सद्दाम हुसैन की मदद करनी चाहिए, लेकिन ऐसा नहीं किया गया।
पंडित नेहरू जी ने आजादी के बाद एक बार कहा था कि दुनिया में जहां भी मानवता का, मानवीय अधिकारों का हनन होगा, हिन्दुस्तान चुप नहीं रहेगा। मैं पूछना चाहता हूं कि क्या आपने उस बात को माना? मैं यहां यह जरूर कहना चाहूंगा कि अगर हमारी विदेश नीति सफल रही है तो वह इंदिरा जी के ज़माने में सफल रही है। उन्होंने बड़ी तरकीब से पाकिस्तान का बंटवारा करके बांग्लादेश का निर्माण कराया था। यह उनकी सफलता थी। आज मैं कह सकता हूं कि अगर हमारी विदेश नीति ठीक थी तो वह इंदिरा जी के ज़माने में ठीक थी। उन्होंने इसको सही साबित किया था।
आज हमारी सीमाओं पर खतरा है, भले ही मामूली लगता हो। हम लोग इस विषय पर चर्चा करना चाहते थे, लेकिन चर्चा नहीं हो पाई। जब हमने कहा कि आज रोजाना एक-एक इंच हमारी जमीन पर चीन कब्जा कर रहा है, तो कोई ध्यान नहीं दिया गया। हमने ब्रह्मपुत्र नदी का पानी चीन ने रोक दिया। मैं फिर यहां कहना चाहता हूं कि चीन हमला करेगा और इसके लिए उसने पूरी तैयारी कर ली है।
मैं नेपाल गया था और वहां तीन दिन रहा। वहां के लोगों ने बताया कि चीन पूरी तैयारी कर रहा है हिन्दुस्तान पर हमला करने की और इस बात का पता आपके वहां के राजदूत को भी है। जब विदेश मंत्री जी जवाब दें तो बताएं कि नेपाल में हमारे राजदूत ने क्या खबर दी है, चीन क्या कर रहा है, चीन नेपाल से होकर क्या कर रहा है? आज पाकिस्तान चीन की मदद से जाली नोट नेपाल के माध्यम से हमारे देश में भेज रहा है। यह इस बात का सुबूत है और नेपाल में हमारे राजदूत को भी पता है। मैं जब वहां गया था तो मैंने पूछा कि राजदूत ने क्या-क्या खबर दी है, क्यों यहां से जाली नोट भेजे जा रहे हैं। मुझे बताया गया कि चीन की सोच है कि भारत के साथ लड़ाई का मौका नहीं आएगा, क्योंकि इस तरह के कामों से भारत को इतना आर्थिक संकट में डाल देंगे कि वह लड़ाई के काबिल नहीं रहेगा, कमजोर हो जाएगा। यह एक साज़िश है, जो हमारे भारत के खिलाफ रची जा रही है।
आज चीन हिमाचल प्रदेश, लद्दाख, सिक्किम, अरुणाचल प्रदेश और उत्तराखंड को अपने नक्शे में दिखा रहा है कि ये इलाके हमारे हैं और हम इन्हें लेकर रहेंगे। मैं फिर सदन में यह बात कहना चाहता हूं कि चीन पूरी तैयारी कर चुका है हिन्दुस्तान पर हमला करने की। उसने हिमाचल प्रदेश से लेकर लद्दाख, उत्तराखंड, सिक्किम और अरुणाचल प्रदेश को अपने नक्शे में दिखाया है। वह अरुणाचल प्रदेश के लोगों से कहता है कि आप लोगों के लिए चीन आने के लिए वीजा की जरूरत नहीं है, क्योंकि आप हमारे हो, हमारा चेहरा हैं, हमारा खून हैं।
16.00 hrs. (Shri Francisco Cosme Sardinha in the Chair) हमारे माननीय मंत्री जाकर वहां चीन की तारीफ कर रहे हैं। मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि चीन हमला करने की तैयारी में है। मैंने सेना के वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों से बात की, उनकी हर हफ्ते मीटिंग होती है। मैं रक्षा मंत्री रहा हूं तो मैंने उनसे पूछा कि क्या आपने मीटिंग में सवाल उठाया है कि चीन तैयारी कर रहा है। रक्षा समिति की हर हफ्ते मीटिंग होती है और उसमें सेना के वरिष्ठ अधिकारी होते हैं लेकिन अभी तक भारत की सेना को तैयारी का अभी तक निर्देश नहीं दिया है। चीन हमारी जमीन पर रोज कब्जा कर रहा है और ब्रह्मपुत्र नदी का पानी उसने रोक दिया है, लेकिन हमने क्या किया? ये लोग चीन से डरे बैठे हैं और चीन हमले की तैयारी कर रहा है। आप एक भी देश बता दीजिए जो हिंदुस्तान का दोस्त हो। दुनिया में एक भी देश हिंदुस्तान का दोस्त नहीं है। जिस देश का कोई दोस्त न हो, उसकी विदेश नीति क्या है? जब चीन ने हमला किया तो लंका जैसे छोटे देश ने चीन से फौज वापस ले जाने को कहा था। लेकिन क्या आज लंका आपके साथ है। बंगला देश के बनने में हमारे जवान शहीद हुए, हमारा कितना पैसा खर्च हुआ लेकिन क्या आज बंगला देश हमारे साथ है, नेपाल आपके साथ है? नेपाल पूरी तरह से हिंदुस्तान पर निर्भर था लेकिन आपने उसकी मदद कम कर दी। वह आप पर अब निर्भर नहीं है बल्कि गुस्से में है। मैं तीन दिन वहां रहा हूं। नेपाल में हमारी संस्कृति है, हमारे धर्म को मानने वाले हैं, पशुपतिनाथ मंदिर पर लाखों लोग हिंदुस्तान से जाते हैं, उस नेपाल की आपने मदद कम क्यों कर दी, नेपाल की हमें मदद बढ़ानी चाहिए थी। जब आपका दुनिया में कोई देश मित्र नहीं है तो आपकी विदेश नीति क्या है।
गुट-निरपेक्ष नीति के बारे में नेहरु जी ने कहा था कि दुनिया में कहीं भी मानवाधिकारों का हनन होगा तो हिंदुस्तान चुप नहीं रहेगा। जब सद्दाम हुसैन को फांसी दी जा रही थी तो इसी सदन में हमने कहा था कि कम से कम उसे फांसी लगने से बचाओ। जिस सद्दाम हुसैन ने हमें उधार तेल भी दिया और जब भी जरुरत पड़ी तो वह तेल देने में पीछे नहीं रहा। ईरान ने हमें तेल दिया, लेकिन उसके खिलाफ हमने वोट दिया। सद्दाम् हुसैन की फांसी का क्या आप विरोध नहीं कर सकते थे, हम लोगों ने सदन में विरोध किया था। इनकी कोई विदेश नीति नहीं हैं। जिस देश का कोई दोस्त नहीं है, उस देश की विदेश नीति किस बात की है? जब आप उत्तर दें तो इस बात का जवाब अवश्य दें। जब अमरीका ने 7वां बेड़ा भेजा था तो रूस ने भी अपना बेड़ा भेज दिया था। वह समय था जब हमारी विदेश नीति थी। मैं इंदिरा जी की तारीफ करता हूं, उनकी विदेश नीति की वजह से हमने बंगला देश-पाकिस्तान को बांट दिया। उस नीति से आप हटे हैं।
आप जिस अमरीका की बात कर रहे हैं वहां 12 प्रतिशत लोग बेरोजगार हो गये हैं, 5 करोड़ लोगों को वहां खाना नहीं मिलता है, अमरीका को चीन मदद कर रहा है, यह अमरीका की हालत है। वह अमरीका आपकी क्या मदद करेगा? अमरीका आपकी कभी मदद नहीं करेगा। आप पाकिस्तान की बात करते हैं तो पाकिस्तान हमारा कुछ भी नहीं बिगाड़ सकता है। चाहे उसके पास कितने ही एटम बम हों, वह हमारे ऊपर 5-6 एटम बम गिरा देगा और अगर हमने उस पर 5-6 एटम बम गिरा दिये तो वह पूरी तरह से बर्बाद हो जाएगा। आपका निशाना चीन होना चाहिए। जार्ज साहब ने एक बार कहा था कि चीन हमारा दुश्मन है * और मैं फिर कह रहा हूं कि दुनिया में अगर हमारा कोई दुश्मन है तो वह चीन है। अगर आप सावधान नहीं हुए तो यह बात आगे साफ हो जाएगी। चीन हमला करने की तैयारी कर चुका है। मैं नेपाल गया था वहां के वरिष्ठ लोगों ने कहा, मैं नाम नहीं लूंगा, उन्होंने कहा कि आप जाकर बताइये, हम राजदूत से रोजाना कहते हैं।
हम राजदूत से रोज़ाना कहते हैं कि पाकिस्तान के जाली नोट चीन और नेपाल से हो कर हिंदुस्तान में आ रहे हैं तथा हमारी अर्थव्यवस्था चौपट कर रहे हैं। तिब्बत के बारे में डाक्टर राजेन्द्र बाबू ने और डॉ. राम मनोहर लोहिया ने नेहरू जी से कहा कि आप इस मामले में हस्तक्षेप कीजिए। अगर उस समय तिब्बत के बारे में हस्तक्षेप किया होता, तो हिंदुस्तान कामयाब हो सकता था। यह बात जरूर थी कि दुनिया में जहां भी मानवाधिकार का हनन होगा, वहां हिंदुस्तान चुप नहीं रहेगा क्योंकि गुटनिर्पेक्ष नीति थी। तीसरी दुनिया बन गई थी और तीसरी दुनिया भारत के साथ थी। अब तीसरी दुनिया भारत के साथ कहां है? मैं इसीलिए कह रहा हूं कि आप बता दीजिए कि आपका क्या कोई एक देश भी मित्र है। चीन रेल की लाइन बिछा चुका है। चीन चार, छह, आठ लेन की सड़कें बना चुका है। मेरी वायु सेना अधिकारियों से बात हुई, तो उन्होंने मुझे कहा कि आप जब रक्षा मंत्री थे, आपने जो सड़कें बनवाई थीं, उनका क्या हुआ। हमने रक्षा मंत्री होने के समय सड़कें बनवाना शुरू कर दिया था। इसमें आपकी सरकार की भी गलती है, आपने सड़कों को पूरा नहीं किया और वे अभी भी अधूरी हैं। चीन ने सड़कें बना दीं। साढ़े तीन घंटे में सारा सामान रेल से सड़कों से आ जाएगा, क्या आप गधे और खच्चरों पर सामान ले जाएंगे? चीन की कब्जा करने की पूरी तैयारी है। चीन ने कह दिया है कि हिमाचल, लद्दाख, उत्तराखंड, सिक्कम और अरूणाचल प्रदेश हमारा है और नक्शे में दिखा चुका है। ब्रह्मपुत्र नदी का पानी रोक दिया है। आप चुप बैठे रहे, आप क्या कर रहे थे?
मैं आपसे कहना चाहता हूं कि सुरक्षा समिति की बैठक में आप जाते होंगे। उसमें सेना के अधिकारी भी आते हैं। वे अधिकारी अपनी बात रखते हैं या नहीं रखते हैं, उन्होंने मुझसे कहा कि दो ही सवाल करना। पहला कि आपने सड़कें बनाना शुरू किया था, उसका क्या हुआ और दूसरा कि हम जो बात कहते हैं, उसका क्या उत्तर दिया जाता है। मीटिंग में चुप रहते हैं, उत्तर किसी ने नहीं दिया। सावधान कर दिया कि चीन हमले की तैयारी कर चुका है और मैं सदन में फिर कह रहा हूं कि चीन हिमाचल से ले कर अरूणाचल को अपने नक्शे में दिखा चुका है और कहा कि ये हमारे प्रदेश हैं। मैं बार-बार इसे दोहरा रहा हूं। चीन तैयारी कर चुका है, लेकिन हमारी सेना को अभी तक कोई निर्देश नहीं दिया गया है। एक लाख वर्ग किलोमीटर सड़क दबा रखी है, मैं इस बात को दोहराना नहीं चाहता हूं। थरूर साहब ने कहा कि श्री अरूण शौरी एक पुस्तक लिखी। क्या आपने कम गलतियां की हैं। उन्होंने बहुत मेहनत करके पुस्तक लिखी कि हिंदुस्तान में क्या-क्या हो रहा है, आपने उस पर प्रतिबंध लगा दिया। मैं सरकार से मांग करता हूं कि चाहे अरूण शौरी जी बीजेपी के हैं, उन्होंने किताब लिखी है। वह किताब मेरे पास किसी तरह से आ गई है, लेकिन उस किताब पर प्रतिबंध क्यों लगाया गया? मैं सदन में कहना चाहता हूं कि प्रधानमंत्री श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेजी जी ने प्रतिबंध लगाया है। किताब पर प्रतिबंध क्यों लगाया गया, क्योंकि सारे देश के बारे में, पाकिस्तान के बारे में, चीन के बारे में, हिंदुस्तान के बारे में क्या-क्या लिखा, बढ़िया किताब है।
पांच लाख रुपया प्रतिमाह कौन लेता था, क्या करता था, आजादी की लड़ाई के इतिहास में क्या हुआ, किसने धोखा दिया, इसमें लिखा है। नई पीढ़ी इससे कम से कम आजादी की लड़ाई के इतिहास को तो समझे कि कौन साथ था और कौन साथ नहीं था। कौन अंग्रेजों का साथ चुपचाप दे रहा था, कौन रुपया ले रहा था, ये सब अरुण शौरी जी ने लिखा है। आपने अरुण शौरी की पुस्तक पर प्रतिबंध क्यों लगाया? अगर एसयू-30 की बात आपने स्वीकार की कि मुलायम सिंह की बात का भरोसा करके हमने मान लिया, आपने अच्छा काम किया, लेकिन इन्होंने कहाँ माना? जब मैंने एसयू -30 खरीदने की बात कही तो माननीय जसवंत जी और माननीय अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी मेरे दफ्तर गए और बात हुई कि इसमें कमीशन लिया गया है, एसयू-30 मत खरीदो। मैंने कहा कमीशन की जांच करा लो और चंद्रशेखर जी तथा आप जैसे जितने बड़े नेता हैं, बैरिस्टर हैं, सब बैठो और देखो कि एसयू-30 खरीदा जाए या नहीं। मैंने 40 मास्को में जाकर खरीदे। अगर एसयू-30 नहीं खरीदा होता तो जो आखिरी लड़ाई कारगिल की पाकिस्तान से हुई है, आप उसे देखते। आप 500 जवान कहते थे और निकले 5000, एक साल का लड़ाई का सामान निकला और उसी जहाज के द्वारा पता चला कि 5000 जवान जो ऊपर चढ़े थे, कारगिल में कितने नौजवान शहीद हुए थे क्योंकि वे जा रहे थे, उनका खाना एक साल के लिए था। वे ऊपर चढ़ते थे और ऊपर से पाकिस्तान की सेना मारती थी। अखबारों और मैगजीन में आया है कि पाकिस्तान की सेना ने कहा कि हमने हिन्दुस्तान के इतने सैनिकों को मारा है कि हमारे अंगूठे काम नहीं करते हैं, इतनी फायरिंग की है। आप भी थोड़े दोषी हैं। ...( व्यवधान) दोषी यह हैं क्योंकि राज तो भाजपा कर रही थी...( व्यवधान) अब इराक में सद्दाम हुसैन को जब फांसी दी जा रही थी तब हमने इसी सदन में कहा था कि कम से कम हिन्दुस्तान को इसका विरोध करना चाहिए। हमने कहा था “निंदा” लिखो तो बदल कर “बुरा माना” शब्द लिख दिया। प्रस्ताव बना था और हमारी मांग थी कि अमरीका की निंदा करो लेकिन माननीय जसवंत सिंह जी को अच्छी तरह पता है, तब मुश्किल से लिखा “बुरा माना”। इतना ढीलाढाला शब्द लिखा। ये तो... * हैं ही लेकिन ..... आप भी रहे हैं। यह सत्य है कि ये ...... हैं, इन्होंने तो अभी तक चीन का विरोध ही नहीं किया है कि वह क्या कर रहा है। हम चाहते हैं कि इस पुस्तक से प्रतिबंध हटे। अरुण शौरी जी ने जो किताब लिखी है उससे नई पीढ़ी को पता लग जाएगा कि कितना गलत कितना सही हुआ और समीक्षा पढ़ने वालों को भी पता लगेगा। हम चाहते हैं कि इस किताब से प्रतिबंध हटना चाहिए। हम चाहते हैं कि इसमें क्या है वह नई पीढ़ी जाने। उन्होंने अच्छी मेहनत करके किताब लिखी। आप कम दोषी थोड़े ही हैं।
जहां तक ईरान की बात है, अब ईरान के खिलाफ वोट दे दिया। क्या सही किया? यह क्या मामूली गलती है? ईरान आपको तेल दे रहा है, ईरान ने हर वक्त मदद की, इराक ने हमेशा मदद की, सद्दाम हुसैन किसानों के हमदर्द थे, सस्ता और उधार तेल दिया, खुद भेजा जब आप नहीं ले जा पा रहे थे तो उसने अपने साधनों से भेजा। क्या आपने ईरान और इराक की मदद की? ईरान के खिलाफ वोट कैसे दे दिया? आपको सुरक्षा परिषद् का मैम्बर क्यों नहीं बनने दे रहा है, चीन। वह विरोध कर रहा है। सुरक्षा परिषद में हिन्दुस्तान भी आ जाए, सदस्य बन जाए, उसका चीन विरोध कर रहा है और आपके मंत्री चीन में जाकर तारीफ कर रहे हैं। आप बता दीजिए। मैं आपसे बार-बार कह रहा हूं कि चीन हिन्दुस्तान पर हिमाचल से लेकर अरुणाचल तक कब्जा करने के लिए हमला करने की तैयारी कर चुका है। अगर आप पर असर नहीं है तो नेपाल का कोई भी व्यक्ति बता देगा कि क्या हो रहा है, नेपाल को सब पता है। हम आज नाम नहीं लेंगे, वे आज बहुत उच्च पद पर हैं, उन्होंने अभी आकर फिर कहा है, जब हम नेपाल गए थे तो उन्होंने हमसे कहा कि आप जाकर बता दो कि चीन हिन्दुस्तान पर हमला करने की पूरी तैयारी कर चुका है।
महोदय, मैं ज्यादा नहीं बोलूंगा, हम इतना ही कहना चाहते हैं कि आप कम से कम श्रीलंका जैसे देश को भी दोस्त नहीं बना पा रहे हैं।
नेपाल को हाथ से निकाले दे रहे हैं, बंग्लादेश जिस तरह अपना साथ दे, आप वह भी नहीं कर पा रहे हैं। आपकी विदेश नीति क्या है? इनकी विदेश नीति कुछ है ही नहीं। कोई भी बता दे कि विदेश नीति क्या है। चीन के बारे में आपकी क्या विदेश नीति है? लंका के बारे में आपकी क्या विदेश नीति है? बंग्लादेश के बारे में क्या विदेश नीति है, पाकिस्तान के बारे में क्या विदेश नीति है? पाकिस्तान हमारा क्या करेगा, मैं आज कहना चाहता हूं कि पाकिस्तान से हिंदुस्तान को खतरा नहीं है, वह बर्बाद हो जायेगा। आपका दुश्मन* चीन है, फिर चीन के विरुद्ध तैयारी के मामले में आप क्या कर रहे हैं? यदि नहीं तो आप मेरी फाइल पढ़ लेना, जब मैं रक्षा मंत्री था तो मैंने क्या किया है? मैंने चीन के हिसाब से पूरी तैयारी की थी। तब ही एसयू-30 खरीदे थे। माननीय अटल जी तथा जसवंत जी यह एसयू-30 खरीदने से मना करने के लिए मेरे पास आए थे। उनकी बात सही थी, लेकिन उसकी जांच हो जाए। यदि एसयू-30 नहीं होते तो हम कारगिल की आखिरी लड़ाई हार गये थे। वहां के बारे में बताया गया था कि वहां पांच हजार सैनिक, एक साल का खाना, हथियार आदि लेकर बैठे हुए थे। इसी एसयू-30 के कारण आप वहां की लड़ाई जीते।
महोदय, आज चाहे हिंदुस्तान के मंत्री जी बयान दें, कोई सरकार बयान दे, आप हमें यह बता दें कि सरकार की नीति क्या है? मैं यह कह सकता हूं कि इनकी कोई विदेश नीति नहीं है। कोई भी खड़ा होकर बता दे कि हमारी विदेश नीति यह है। विदेश नीति का मतलब है कि ज्यादा से ज्यादा देशों को अपना मित्र बनाना। विदेश नीति की सबसे बड़ी सफलता यह है कि दुनिया में ज्यादा से ज्यादा देश हमारे दोस्त बने। आप एक दोस्त का नाम ले दो, हम मान जायेंगे कि आपकी विदेश नीति सफल हो गई। आप एक भी नाम बता दो कि यह देश हमारा दोस्त है। आप नेपाल को जो मदद करते थे, वह भी आपने कम कर दी। नेपाल पूरी तरह से आपके साथ है। जैसा उन्होंने कहा कि हमारे और उनके बीच शादी, ब्याह आदि सब कुछ होता है, आना-जाना है, भाषा है, संस्कृति है, हम लोग एक हैं। पशुपतिनाथ मंदिर में लाखों लोग जाते हैं। आप उस नेपाल की पहले जो मदद करते थे, उसे आपने कम कर दिया है।
MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Member, you have made your point. Please give time to others also. I have given you ample time.
श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव : आपकी उसकी मदद बढ़ानी चाहिए थी। लेकिन मदद बढ़ाने की बजाय आपने उसकी मदद कम कर दी है।
मैं अभी खत्म कर रहा हूं। विदेश मंत्री जी हम आपसे इतना जानना चाहते हैं कि हमने जो सड़कें सीमापार बनवानी शुरू की थीं, वे अधूरी पड़ी हैं, आप उन सड़कों को बनवा दो, सेना परेशान है। सेना के वरिष्ठ लोगों ने हमसे कहा है। आप कम से कम उन्हें बनवाने की घोषणा तो करें। मैं कहता हूं कि आप इसकी आज ही घोषणा करें कि जो सड़कें आपने बनवानी शुरू की थीं, वे अधूरी पड़ी हैं। आप उन सड़कों को जल्दी से जल्दी तैयार निर्माण करा दीजिए, क्योंकि चीन साढ़े तीन घंटे में अपनी फौज और सामान भेज देगा। फिर क्या आप खच्चर और गधों से भेजेंगे? तब तक लड़ाई कहां पहुंच चुकी होगी। हमारा सामान खच्चर और गधों से जायेगा और उनका सामान फर्राटे से साढ़े तीन घंटे में आ जायेगा। फोर लेन से वह आठ लेन बना चुका है। जो सड़कें अधूरी हैं, आप उन्हें बनवा दो। हमने जो रेलिंग मजबूती के साथ लगाई थी, उस रेलिंग पर भी आप ध्यान नहीं दे रहे हैं। पता नहीं आप क्या कर रहे हैं?
MR. CHAIRMAN: You have made so many good points. Now please sit down.
श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव : मैं दूसरी महत्वपूर्ण बात कहना चाहता हूं कि नेपाल के राजदूत को जाली नोटों से लेकर चीन की तैयारियों के बारे में सब पता है। यदि आपके पास यहां रिपोर्ट हो तो नेपाल के राजदूत ने आपको क्या-क्या भेजा, आप बताइये। अगर उसने नहीं भेजा है तो उसे तत्काल हटाओ। वह राजदूत वहां क्या कर रहा है? मैं आपको बता रहा हूं कि नेपाल के राजदूत को सब पता है। हम तीन दिन वहां रहे हैं और जो माओवादी हैं, उन माओवादियों से आप और हम मिले थे। वे लगातार दो साल तक चीन के अंदर उसके साथ रहे हैं और चीन से सामान ला-लाकर तैयारी करके उन्होंने वहां कब्जा किया। नेपाल के राष्ट्रपति ने कहां कि लड़ाई मैंने भी लड़ी है, लेकिन किसी तरह से नेपाल को बचा लिया। लेकिन नेपाल आज भी पूरी तरह से हिंदुस्तान के साथ रहना चाहता है। लेकिन भारत सरकार ने उसकी मदद बढ़ाने के बजाय कम कर दी।...( व्यवधान)
…( व्यवधान)
श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव : वह रिपोर्ट हमें दे दीजिये., हम सदन में जानना चाहेंगे। आपकी हर सप्ताह मीटिंग होती है। सेनापति और फौज के लोग आपके सामने समस्यायें रखते हैं, आपको रिपोर्ट देते हैं। हम जानना चाहते हैं कि उस रिपोर्ट में क्या क्या है, उस रिपोर्ट पर आपने क्या अमल किया है, यह भी हमें बता दीजिये। हम खुद रक्षा मंत्री रहे हैं, हर सप्ताह मीटिंग होती थी। जो रक्षा समिति बनी है, उसकी रिपोर्ट दीजिये।...( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now. Now it will take a day for the hon. Minister to reply to the number of points that you have raised so far.
श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव : हम जानना चाहते हैं कि सेना ने क्या रिपोर्ट दी है। वह समय निकल गया है लेकिन मैं फिर दोहराना चाहता हूं कि दुनिया मानवाधिकारों का हनन होगा, नेहरू जी की घोषणा हुई थी लेकिन हिन्दुस्तान चुप नहीं रहेगा। सद्दाम हुसैन को फांसी दी गई, आप चुप बैठे रहे, ईरान के खिलाफ वोट क्यों दिया? ईरान और इराक तेल देकर हमारी मदद कर रहे हैं, आपने ईरान के खिलाफ वोट दे दिया, सद्दाम हुसैन को फांसी दी गई और आप चुप बैठे रहे। आप इस बात की निन्दा नहीं कर सके।...( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN: You have taken nearly half an hour.
श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव : सभापति जी, बहुत खतरनाक स्थिति हो रही है...( व्यवधान)चीन पाकिस्तान के एटम बम बनाने से लेकर आधुनिक हथियार बनाने का पूरा सामान दे रहा है। बताइये, सरकार ने क्या एतराज किया?...( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Hon. Members, please maintain decorum.
श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव : चीन ने ब्रह्मपुत्र नदी का पानी रोक दिया, उसकी बात सरकार नहीं कर रही है। चीन पाकिस्तान को हथियार बनाने के लिये पूरी तैयारी दे रहा है, उस पर भी सरकार एतराज नहीं कर रही है। मैं सदन में सच्चाई के साथ कह रहा हूं लेकिन आप जवाब दें तो पूरी बात बताइये। पाकिस्तान हमारा कुछ भी नहीं बिगाड़ सकता है। हमारी बहादुर सेना पाकिस्तान को पराजित कर देगी । मैं सीमा के बारे में कहना चाहता हूं...( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN: I am calling the next speaker. You have taken too much of time श्री मुलायम सिंह यादव : सरकार ने ईरान के खिलाफ वोट दिया, क्या यह मामूली बात है? जो हमारे देश को तेल दे रहे हैं, हमारे दोस्त हैं, हमारी मदद कर रहे हैं, आप उन दोस्तों को दुश्मन बना रहे हैं। अगर हमारी सरकार इतनी डरपोक होगी तो हमारे देश की रक्षा कैसे हो सकती है? आज हमारी सेना को भरोसा है कि हमारी सीमा सुकड़ रही है। आज चीन हर रोज एक इंच जमीन पर कब्जा कर रहा है। सरकार ने इस पर क्या एतराज जताया? इसके लिये क्या उपाय किया? मैं सच्चाई के साथ कह रहा हूं क्योंकि यह मेरी जानकारी है। सेना के अधिकारी बता दिया कि मेरी तरफ से बता दीजियेगा. आपने सड़कें बनवाईं, वे अधूरी क्यों हैं? नेपाल होकर जाली नोट आ रहे हैं, आपने क्या कार्यवाही की है? ...( व्यवधान) हमारे छात्रों को बेड़ियां पहनाई जा रही हैं,छात्रों का बुरा हाल हो रहा है, सरकार क्या कर रही है?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Hon. Member, please take your seat. You have taken more than half an hour now.
(Interruptions) … MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) … * MR. CHAIRMAN: What is going on? Nothing, except what Shri Vijay Bahadur Singh is saying, will go on record.
(Interruptions) …* MR. CHAIRMAN : Please stick to the time allotted to you. Otherwise, I will have to put off the mike.
1625 बजे श्री विजय बहादुर सिंह (हमीरपुर, उ.प्र.): महोदय, धन्यवाद। I will not repeat my points. I will not elaborate them. I will make brief suggestions.
महोदय, आज आपने एक्सटर्नल अफेयर्स मिनिस्ट्री की डिमांड्स एवं ग्रांट्स 2011-2012 पर हमें बोलने की अनुमति दी, इसके लिए आपका बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद।...( व्यवधान) मैं ज्यादा बात नहीं करना चाहता हूं। मैं सिर्फ यह कहना चाहता हूं कि जो बजटरी ग्रांट है, उसे 6,375 करोड़ रूपये से आपने 7,106 करोड़ किया है यानी उसमें 11.5 परसेंट का इंक्रीज किया है। आपने जैसे नेपाल को जो पिछले साल 151 करोड़ था, इसे घटाकर 150 करोड़ कर दिया है। नेपाल की जो इम्पोर्टेंस है, इससे जाहिर होता है कि आपका डायरेक्शन क्या है? नेपाल के लिए जो बजटरी ग्रांट पिछले साल मिनिस्ट्री को मिली थी, वह 151 करोड़ थी, अब वह आपने घटाकर 150 करोड़ कर दी है। आपने उसे घटा दिया है। इसी तरह से आपने कटौतियां की हैं। इस फॉरेन पॉलिसी से मैं यह बात समझता हूं कि फॉरेन पॉलिसी हमारे इंटरनल इंट्रेस्ट का रिफ्लैक्शन है। अगर आप पुराने समय में देखेंगे तो यूनाइटेड नेशंस के जमाने में सबसे पहले भारत ने वर्ष 1946 में ह्यूमैन राइट डिक्लेरेशन एक्ट दाखिल किया। वर्ष 1946, 1945 और आज सबसे ज्यादा यूनाइटेड नेशंस में पीस कैपिंग फोर्स इंडिया की है। जब यूनाइटेड नेशंस में सिक्यूरिटी काउंसिल में नंबर आता है तो अभी वोटिंग हुई, उसमें मैं आपको बता दूं कि 148 में हमें 147 वोट मिले। 190 वोट में से सिर्फ दो-तीन वोट इधर-उधर हुए, 90 परसेंट हमें सपोर्ट मिला। इसी के महत्व में मैं आपको बताना चाहता हूं कि इसी वर्ष 2010-2011 में जितने फाइव बिग नेशन हैं, चाहे अमेरिका हो, चाहे चाइना हो, चाहे फ्रांस हो, चाहे ब्रिटेन हो, पांचों नेशंस के प्रैसीडेंट और प्राइम मिनिस्टर ने यहां विजिट किया है। इसका यह रीजन नहीं है कि भारत से इन्हें बहुत लगाव है। ये इंडिया में शॉपिंग और इकोनॉमिक गेन्स के लिए आ रहे हैं। इसे देखकर हमारी पॉलिसी होनी चाहिए। अगर आप थोड़ा सा इतिहास देख लें तो पुराने जमाने में जब आइजनहॉवर प्रैसीडेंट थे तो जॉन फॉस्टर डैलेस ने पॉलिस ऑफ ब्रिंकमैनशिप निकाली कि जिधर पलड़ा भारी होने लगे तो दूसरे पलड़े को बढ़ा दो। उस समय दो ही फोर्सेज थीं, अमेरिका और रूस। इनके लिए जो पॉलिसी का मैटर है, उनका self-interest is of paramount importance. आज भी मेंबर ऑफ पार्लियामेंट की हैसियत से, जब वेन जियाबाओ वहां के प्राइम मिनिस्टर दिसंबर में इंडिया में ओबामा जी के बाद तशरीफ लाये थे, तो सप्रू हॉल में मैंने उन्हें सुना। एक-डेढ़ घंटे की स्पीच में उन्होंने एक जगह भी जिक्र नहीं किया कि यूनाइटेड नेशंस की सिक्यूरिटी काउंसिल में वे भारत का समर्थन करना चाहते हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि यू आर द लार्जेस्ट डैमोक्रेसी, उन्होंने कहा कि हमारा आपका ट्रेड रिलेशन बहुत अच्छा है, उन्होंने यह भी आशा जतायी कि एक समय आयेगा, जैसे थरूर साहब बोल रहे थे कि 50 बिलियन डॉलर से 100 बिलियन डॉलर हो जायेगा। ओबामा साहब भी आये तो उन्होंने भी कहा कि हमें 75 हजार लोगों के लिए जॉब की जरूरत है। हमारा कहना है कि इसे रियलैस्टिक पॉलिसी बनाया जाये। अब मैं संक्षेप में अपनी बात करना चाहता हूं, जिससे यह क्लियर हो, मैं सरलीकरण से बात करना चाहता हूं।
आप इंडिया के नेबर्स देखिये। पाकिस्तान से हिन्दुस्तान को कभी खतरा न हुआ है, न होगा। उसमें कोई सवाल ही नहीं है। उसे चाहे हिस्टॉरिकल रीज़न समझा जाए या कुछ और, लेकिन हमारी प्रॉबलम पाकिस्तान नहीं है। हमारी प्रॉबलम पाकिस्तान नहीं है, उसके बगल में बर्मा नहीं है, हमारी प्रॉबलम अगर कभी आएगी तो चाइना से आएगी। आप इसको और देख लें। 1962 में जब चाउ एन लाइ प्राइम मिनिस्टर थे तो यहाँ पर आए। हम लोग स्टूडैन्ट थे। उस समय कहा जाता था -1 ‘हिन्दी चीनी भाई-भाई।’ मुझे अभी तक याद है, उस समय एक मैगज़ीन ‘लाइफ’ निकलती थी, उसमें लिखा था कि - “Close neighbours are better than distant relatives.” मतलब चाइना हमारा बहुत नज़दीकी पड़ोसी है, वह हमारे लिए ज्यादा उपयोगी है दूर के रिश्तेदार से। उसी चाइना ने मई में अटैक कर दिया और हमारे यहाँ इतनी अच्छी तैयारी थी कि 1942 की 303 राइफल जाड़े में कोई खोल ही नहीं पाया और वे दनदना कर यहाँ तक चले आए। हर ट्रैजेडी में, जब कोई बात गंभीर होती है तो उसमें कुछ न कुछ लैसन होता है। उसी के कारण आज हमारी आर्मी सख्त बनी।
अभी मैं एक फंक्शन में गया था, बहुत लंबा-चौड़ा फंक्शन था विज्ञान भवन में। वहाँ अरुणाचल प्रदेश के एक रिप्रजैन्टेटिव ने कहा कि पिछले बीस साल में अरुणाचल के बॉर्डर पर, जहाँ से चाइना दिखाई देता है, वहाँ एक सड़क तो क्या, एक पगडंडी भी नहीं बनी। तो क्या हम डर रहे हैं? हम खुद अपना इंट्रॉस्पैक्शन करना चाहते हैं। इसको हमारे विदेश मंत्री बुरा न मानें। एक पॉलिसी होती है जिसको बोलते हैं फायर ब्रिगेड पॉलिसी, कि जब आग लगे तो दमकल टन-टन टन-टन करते हुए पहुँच जाए, आग बुझा दे और फिर बैठ जाइए। हम क्यों नहीं उस बॉर्डर की लाइऩ पर प्रिपरेशन करें, चाहे वहाँ सड़क बनाएँ, चाहे वहाँ डैवलपमैंट करें और हम भी वहाँ उसी तरह करें जैसे उन्होंने किया है। उन्होंने 4000 माइल रेलवे लाइन बना दी, सड़कों का जाल बिछा दिया - दो लेन, चार लेन, छः लेन, और यहाँ हम चर्चा करने से घबरा रहे हैं। ...( व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदय : उन्हें डिसटर्ब न करें।
श्री विजय बहादुर सिंह : हम नेशनलिस्ट हैं, हम राष्ट्रवादी हैं, हम कोई भगवा और उसमें बिलीव नहीं करते। जो बात है वह सही होनी चाहिए।
हमारा कहना है कि जैसा अब्राहिम लिंकन ने कहा था कि “Never fear to negotiate, but no negotiations under fear.” हमारी जो पॉलिसी है, हम उसको डैवलप करें। अगर हम पॉलिसी डैवलप करते हैं तो पाकिस्तान की मदद करना चाइना और अमेरिका की मजबूरी है। पाकिस्तान एक किस्म से गल्फ कंट्रीज़ के लिए या कम्युनिस्ट कंट्रीज़ के लिए एक बहुत बढ़िया बेस प्रोवाइड करता है। उनका इनवाल्वमैंट तो उसमें होगा ही। अगर 1946 के आर्काइव्ज़ देखें तो चर्चिल साहब कहते थे कि ‘They are not loving Pakistan, but they are loving the base that Pakistan provides so that in half an hour they can reach oil countries and Gulf countries.’ उसको तो आप मिटा नहीं सकते। मेरा कहना यह है कि आप ऐसी पॉलिसी बनाइए जो वाइब्रैन्ट पॉलिसी हो और वाइब्रैन्ट पॉलिसीज़ में आप इस रियैलिटी को फेस करिये। जैसे अभी कांग्रेस के माननीय सदस्य ने कहा कि हमारा टिक्का और चिकन मसाला बिक रहा है, इसलिए हम बहुत संतुष्ट हैं तो इस पर आप बहुत मस्त न हो जाइए कि आपका चिकन टिक्का बिक रहा है, आपका सिनेमा लोग देख रहे हैं। तो इस सिनेमा में आप मत पड़ियेगा नहीं तो गड़बड़ हो जाएगी। आप अपनी तैयारी करिये और अगर हिन्दुस्तान एक लार्जैस्ट डैमोक्रेसी ऑफ द वर्ल्ड है, अगर हिन्दुस्तान एक ग्रोइंग इकोनॉमी है तो क्यों नहीं We can also be a growing economic and army might.
We can also be a growing economy and Army might. उसकी तैयारी दोनों तरह से होनी चाहिए। बाईपोलर, यूनीपोलर जैसे अट्रैक्टिव वर्ड्स हमने इंटरनेशनल लॉ में बहुत पढ़े हैं। लेकिन हमारी शुद्ध राय यह है, माननीय विदेश मंत्री विदेश में भी पढ़े हैं, इसलिए इन्हें विदेश का भी ज्ञान होना चाहिए। लुक ईस्ट पॉलिसी आयी। मैं अब समाप्ता करना चाहता हूं। जब तक सभापति जी ने सांस ली, मैं समझ गया कि घंटी बजने वाली है। मैं आपकी सांस से समझ गया कि आप घंटी बजाएंगे। मैं कनक्लूड करने वाला हूं। यह तो हुई आपकी नेबर की पॉलिसी। इसमें कोई दुख नहीं, हम भी बहुत दिनों से देख रहे हैं।...( व्यवधान) नेपाल को हमारी गलतियों के कारण हमने माओ को दे दिया, पूरी तरह से। मैं इलाहाबाद का होने के कारण बीसियों बार हर विक एंड में नेपाल जाता था।...( व्यवधान) इलाहाबाद में वकालत करता था, तब जाता था।...( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please maintain decorum.
… (Interruptions)
श्री विजय बहादुर सिंह : नेपाल को तो आपने दे दिया। अब बात दूसरी है कि यादव जी वहां के प्रेसीडेंट हैं, शायद वे हमारे माननीय मुलायम सिंह जी का ध्यान रखें, कोई बात थोड़ी देर के लिए थम जाए। लेकिन नेपाल हम लोगों की गलतियों से आउट आफ हैण्ड चला गया। यह तो हुई नेबर्स की बात।
महोदय, एक बहुत अच्छा वर्ड आता है, लुक ईस्ट। अब हमें अमरीका और ब्रिटेन का मोह छोड़ देना चाहिए। बहुत सी ऐसी ईस्टर्न कंट्रीज़ हैं, साउथ अफ्रीका और लैटिन अमेरिकी कंट्रीज़ हैं। यदि हम वहां इंडस्ट्रिलाइजेशन बेस को मजबूत करें तो हमारी दूसरी पावर भी उसके साथ बढ़ सकती है। अफ्रीकन कंट्रीज से हम बात करें। मैं पांच मुस्लिम कंट्रीज में डेलीगेशन के साथ गया। मैंने वहां देखा कि मुस्लिम भाइयों को इण्डिया से बहुत प्रेम है। इसमें कोई दो राय नहीं है। वे हमारी कल्चरल हैरीटेज, हमारी सोफ्टनेस, हमारी जियो और जीने दो के बहुत कायल हैं। लेकिन हमें दुख है कि हमारी विदेश मंत्रालय के अधिकारी टैक्नोक्रेट्स की तरह, चार्टर्ड एकाउंटेंट की तरह से जो प्रोफेशनल एप्रोच है, हो सकता है, वह हो, लेकिन हम लोगों को दिखाई नहीं पड़ता है, उनकी रियलिस्टिक पॉलिसी दिखाई नहीं पड़ती है।...( व्यवधान)
अंत में मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि सिक्योरिटी काउंसिल में हमें सीट मिल रही है, उसमें एक वोट छोड़कर सबने वोट किया। जापान ने वकैट किया, अब हमारे पास पूरे दो साल मौका है। इसमें ऐसा थिंक टैंक या ऐसे लोग आ जाएं, ताकि हम इसका पूरा फायदा ले सकें। जैसे मुम्बई पर अटैक हुआ, लेकिन इसका फायदा हम नहीं ले पाए, क्योंकि इसमें फाइनेंस की कमी थी। मैं आपके माध्यम से वित्त मंत्री जी का ध्यान भी आकर्षित करना चाहता हूं कि आप जो 11 प्रतिशत इनक्रीज करके बजट में दे रहे हैं, यह बहुत कम है। अब ग्लोबल विलेज हो रहा है, इंटरनैशनल इंटरैक्शन हो रहा है, इसके लिए अच्छे लोग बनाइए, बाहर के भी एक्सपर्ट्स लाइए, फोरेन सर्विस के लोगों के अलावा भी जो लोग हैं, उनकी राय लीजिए। इस फॉरेन मिनिस्ट्री को थोड़ा इनलार्ज कीजिए। यदि इनलार्ज करेंगे और इंटरैक्शन होगा तो हमें लगता है कि हमारी जो परेशानी है, वह ठीक हो जाएगी।
अंत में मैं यह बताना चाहता हूं मैं भूल गया था, अब मैं बता रहा हूं, वह पेज मुझे मिल गया है कि 190 वोट पड़े थे, जिसमें से भारत को 187 वोट मिले थे, जिसमें से एक इनवैलिड हो गया था, एक वोट कम था। हमारी इतनी ज्यादा पॉपुलैरिटी है, उसे हमें बिलकुल बनाना चाहिए।
हमारे प्रधान मंत्री जी अरुणाचल चले गए या दलाईलामा को हमने यहां बुला लिया तो हम बड़े खुश हैं, यह हमारा अधिकार है। स्टेपल वीज़ा, चाहे जो लोग कह दें, अगर हम लोग सोफ्ट हैं तो हमें कड़ा भी होना चाहिए। हम इस बात को बिलकुल एग्री करते हैं, हालांकि मुझे इन लोगों से अफसोस है, डायलॉग तो होने ही चाहिए। 1890 में इंग्लैंड में एक फैसला हुआ, जिसमें कहा, “Dialogue is the reference from Napolean.” हम लोगों को बात करनी चाहिए। नेपोलियन ने एक बात कही थी, मैं उनका जुमला सुना कर अपनी बात समाप्त करूंगा। उन्होंने बहुत पहले कहा था कि “Let these opium eaters sleep. If they are awake, the world would be sorry.” ये अवेक नहीं हो गए, फैल गए हैं। इस opium eaters को आपको संभाल कर चलना पड़ेगा। उसकी पूरी नीति बनाई जाए। इन्हीं बातों के साथ इसका समर्थन करते हुए मैं अपनी बात समाप्त करता हूं।
MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Members, there is a long list of speakers. Those who want to lay their speeches on the Table of the House, they will be treated as part of the proceedings. You may kindly lay your speeches on the Table of the House.
श्री शरद यादव (मधेपुरा):सभापति महोदय, हम कहां खड़े हैं, इस पर बहुत विस्तार से बात हुई है। पहले और दूसरे वक्ता ने हमारी विदेश नीति जो चल रही है, उसी को उन्होंने मोटा-मोटी दोहराने का काम किया है। यकीनन किसी देश की जो विदेश नीति है, वह इस देश की भीतर की ताकत के अनुपैंत में होती है। देश की ताकत क्या है, उसी के साथ दुनिया में आपकी ताकत बनती है और आपके साथ दुनिया के रिश्ते बनते एवं बिगड़ते हैं। हालात यह है कि 21वीं शताब्दी और हमारी कितनी पूछ है, थरूर साहब चले गए, यानी मेहमान कितने आए हैं, मेहमान इसलिए जरूर आएंगे, क्योंकि 20-22 करोड़ लोग इस देश में बाजार के ा।लए फायदेमंद हो रहे हैं। दुनिया का जो बाजार है, उसमें उनका मेल हो गया है। बाकी जो 80 करोड़ लोग हैं, उनके ा।लए वे नहीं आ रहे हैं। वे आएंगे भी क्यों, इसकी चिन्ता हमें करनी चाहिए, वे क्यों आएंगे। हमारे यहां जो बाजार है, उस बाजार के ा।लए वे आ रहे हैं। वे कोई मामूली नहीं है, उससे आधा यूरोप है, जिसके बराबर यहां बाजार है। यहां जो मोटे-मोटे लोग हैं, उनके हृदय नीचे कितने हैं और ऊपर कितने हैं, इस पर विदेश नीति चलेगी। हमारा हृदय नीचे ताकत बनाने का नहीं है और इसलिए हम यहां इस हालत में खड़े हैं।
सभापति महोदय, मैं आपके माध्यम से सदन में कहना चाहता हूं कि यहां पर कुछ लोग अमेरिका के बारे में बोल रहे थे।
श्री जसर्वेत सिंह जी बोल रहे थे कि अमेरिका के ऊपर ज्यादा निर्भर मत रहो। बैंत सही है, लेकिन कल्पना करो कि जो अफगानिस्तान में राज आ गया था, जब यहां से जहाज हाईजैक होकर के कंधार चला गया था तो कोई बैंत करने वाला नहीं मिला था। अगर अमेरिका में 9.11 नहीं होता तो पक्का जान लो कि अमेरिका कभी अफगानिस्तान नहीं जाता। मैं यह मानता हूं कि अमेरिका वहां अड़ा हुआ है, डटा हुआ है, इससे इस देश को तात्कालिक लाभ है। लम्बे समय में लाभ नहीं है, तात्कालिक लाभ है। तालिबानों को यदि वह वहां नहीं रोकता और हिन्दुस्तान के बोर्डर पर यदि तालिबान आ जायें तो हमारी जो कूवत है, हमारा जो तंत्र है, वह कितना लुंज-पुंज है, इसके बारे में ज्यादा विस्तार में बताने की जरूरत नहीं है।ह्ल( व्यवधान)
चौधरी लाल सिंह (उधमपुर):वे आएंगे तो हम मार देंगे, उन्हें एक बार आने तो दो।
श्री शरद यादव : वे आएंगे तोह्लहम बैंतें नहीं समझ पा रहे कि आप क्या कह रहे हैं।
MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Member, please address the Chair. Otherwise I will call the next speaker.
श्री शरद यादव : नहीं, ठीक है। यह आपकी राय हो सकती है।ह्ल( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon. Member, please address the Chair.
श्री शरद यादव : लेकिन फिर मजा ही नहीं आएगा। आपके हालात ये हैं कि जो अभी वर्तमान स्थिति है, उससे बाहर आना मुश्किल है, क्योंकि हमने अपनी आजादी की लड़ाई का कोई सबक आगे बढ़ाया ही नहीं, न आर्थिक क्षेत्र में हमने बढ़ाया। इस देश की आजादी की मजबूती गांव, ख़्ोत और खलिहान के जरिये निकलती है। यदि हम इस देश में पानी ही पूरे देश में पूरे ख़्ोतों पर ले जाते तो हमारी विदेश नीति में हमारे सामने कोई मुकाबला करने को तैयार नहीं होता। लेकिन हमने तो रास्ता ही बदल लिया। अब हमारा रास्ता ऐसा है कि पहले बाई-पोलर था तो एक को तो पकड़ ही सकते थे तो हमने ठीक देश रशिया को पकड़ा और इन्दिरा जी की सपड्ढलता के पीछे वही है कि बाई-पोलर था। उनकी सपड्ढलता के पीछे यह भी है कि हिन्दुस्तान के जो आन्तरिक संघर्ष थे, उनको भी उन्होंने मिटाया। खालिस्तान यदि बन जाता तो किसी की भी कूवत बहुत मुश्किल होती।
मैं आपसे निवेदन करना चाहता हूं कि हिन्दुस्तान की जो भी पूछ है, इस समय का बाजार हमारे यहां हजारों वर्ष से है, लेकिन इस बार का बाजार सिर्फ अमेरिका और यूरोप की सभ्यता के जरिये है। उनकी बोली, उनकी भाषा, उनका पहनावा, हर चीज़, उनका रंग, उनका रूप दुनिया को डोमिनेट कर रही है। उसी के बीच में से रास्ता आपको निकालना है, जो मेरे पूर्व वक्ताओं ने भी कहा कि उसी के बीच में से रास्ता निकल सकता है और आप निकाल रहे हो। मेरी बैंत तो आप मानेंगे नहीं, हिन्दुस्तान की विदेश नीति कभी भी ठीक नहीं हो सकती, जब तक हिन्दुस्तान के 100 फीसदी लोगों की शक्ति, ताकत और सामर्थ्य नहीं बढ़ते। अब आप गांधी की तरफ तो वापस जाएंगे नहीं और पूरी तरह से जो सभ्यता आपने अपनाई है, उससे पूरे देश को उस तरह से बनाएंगे नहीं। या तो आप पब्लिक स्कूल सब जगह खोल दीजिए और बच्चा पैदा हो तो उसकी गरदन दबा दीजिए कि तू हिन्दी मत बोल, तू कन्नड़ में मत बोल। आज ट्रंसलेशन से यह देश चल रहा है, ट्रंसलेशन में इसकी विदेश नीति है। चीन के लोग ऐंते हैं तो वे अपनी बोली में बेंलते हैं।
रूस ऐंता है, तो अपनी बोली में बेंलता है और यहां ह्ल( व्यवधान) अंग्रेजी में ही नहीं बेंलते, ऐसी कोशिश करते हैं कि हम तो जार्ज पंचम के करीब हैं। वह क्या करते हैं? ऐसा लगता है कि कोई अमरीका या वहां पैदा हुआ आदमी है। शर्म-अल-शेख में क्या हुआ? आपने अंग्रेजी के बाबू वहां बिठाकर रखे हैं। उनसे अंग्रेजी ठीक से ड्राफ्ट नहीं हुयी। वहीं गलती कर आए। मैं उस पर नहीं जाऊंगा। ह्ल( व्यवधान) यह देश कई तरह-तरह की समस्याओं से ग्रस्त है। मैं यह नहीं कह रहा कि वह ग़्लत है, क्योंकि कोई भी भाषा बुरी नहीं होती। जो अपनी भाषा है, उसे छेंड़कर ट्रंसलेशन में कभी खोज नहीं हो सकती है। येरूशलम से लेकर बंगाल की खाड़ी तक आपने अपनी सभ्यता को कुचला है, इसलिए आप भुगत रहे हैं। आज पूरे पश्चिम एशिया में क्या हो रहा है, उथल-पुथल मची हुयी है। यहां उसका लोग क्या-क्या अर्थ लगा रहे हैं? अभी थरूर साहब ने उसके कारण बताए। इंटरनेट है, सेलफोन है, ह्ल( व्यवधान) ब्लू लेबल दारू है, यह सब कारण बताए। वह कारण नहीं है। जब से यूरोप की सभ्यता परवान चढ़ी है, तब से येरूशलम से लेकर बंगाल की खाड़ी तक का इलाका हर तरह से नीचे और पीछे चला गया है। वहां तेल है, इसलिए खा रहे हैं, नहीं तो वे मुश्किल में फंस जाते। हमारे यहां बाप-दादा की परम्परागत खेती है, जिसके च़्लते हम बचे हुए हैं। जहां परमात्मा पैदा हुआ, व़्ृEष्णा साहब, यही इलाका है जहां भगवान पैदा हुआ और कहीं दूसरी जगह नहीं हुआ। जहां माइनस भगवान हैं, जहां परमात्मा नहीं पैदा हुआ, वे सब संपन्न हैं। इस पर कुछ सोचने की जरूरत है। यहां परमात्मा पैदा हुआ, सब भगवान यहां पैदा हुए हैं। भगवान इतना क्रूर है, अगर मुझे मिल जाए तो मैं उसको एक क्विंटल मिठाई खिलाऊं और कहूं कि तू जाकर अमेरिका में पैदा हो जा, वह बहुत गर्रा गया है। हमारा इंतजाम कर दिया। एक बैंत मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि यह दिल्ली है, आज इक्कीसवीं शताब्दी है। मैं मानता हूं कि बीस फीसदी लोग हिंदुस्तान में दुनिया के साथ जुड़े हुए हैं। इन बीस-बाईस फीसदी लोगों की ताकत कोई कम नहीं है। लोग आपको मानते हैं। यह बैंत हकीकत है, कि वह मानते हैं, लेकिन आपकी इस ताकत से नहीं मानते हैं। जैसे आपने, हमने कहा कि हमारे पास न्यूक्लियर बम होना चाहिए। जब मैं अपनी सरकार में था, तब अटल जी के साथ मेरे बहुत अच्छे रिश्ते थे, मैंने बहुत कोशिश की, कहा कि बुद्ध मुस्करा गया। अभी बता रहे थे कि वहां 102 बम भर रखे हुए हैं और यहां पता नहीं कितने रखे हुए हैं। कोई कह रहे थे कि हिंदुस्तान-पाकिस्तान लड़ेंगे, तो कुछ नहीं होने वाला है। अरे क्या बैंत रहे हो? एक बम दिल्ली में डाल दें और एक बम कराची में डाल दें, तमाशा मच जाएगा, पूरा सबसे बढ़िया इलाका तबाह हो जाएगा। लाल सिंह जी, फौज की जरूरत नहीं है। जो हमने न्यूक्लियर वैपन बनाए हैं, इसको तकिए के नीचे रखे हैं। अब कभी लड़ाई नहीं हो सकती। मैं तो हमेशा इच्छा रख़्ता हूं कि लड़ाई नहीं हो। अगर लड़ाई होगी, तो दुनिया में तबाही के सिवाय कोई रास्ता नहीं बचेगा। पाकिस्तान जैसे नादान देश के हाथ में बम आ गया। वहां पता ही नहीं कौन राज कर रहा है? आप जानते हैं कि वहां फौज राज करती है। यहां तो लोकतंत्र है, यहां एक आदमी के हाथ में ताकत है, वहां तो पता नहीं कितने लोग बटन दबा देंगे? कोई लड़ाई नहीं होना है। जो फौज है, इसको किसी दूसरे काम में इस्तेमाल करिए। चीन के बारे में जो बैंत कर रहे थे, सही बैंत है। वहां ब्रह्म्पुत्र है, हमारे बाजू में जो उनका हिस्सा लगता है, उनकी जोग्रैफी लगती है, उस पर वह बहुत मजबúत हो गए।
जैसे मुलायम सिंह जी ने कहा, वह हमला करेगा या नहीं। हमें जानकारी नहीं है, उन्हें जानकारी है। आपने 1962 में भी यह कहा था कि हकालकर बाहर करो। मैं जवाहरलाल जी की बहुत इज्जत करता हूं। उन्होंने कहा था कि हकालकर बाहर करो। व़्ृEष्णा जी, हकालकर बाहर करने का नतीजा यह हुआ कि जनरल भागा, फौज भागी, भगदड़ मच गई और गाना गाया गया द्भ ऐ मेरे वतन के लोगो, जरा आंख में भर लो पानी। गजब देश है। मैं मानता हूं कि यदि पिट जाते तो चोट लगती। हमारे अंदर रंज होना चाहिए, गुस्सा भी होना चाहिए। आज हम पर जरूर मार पड़ी है, लेकिन आने वाले इा।तहास में उसका गुस्सा कहां बचा है जो आप कह रहे हैं कि वह हमला करने वाला है। हमला करेगा तो आपका अता-पता ही नहीं लगेगा। यह आपकी हालत है।ह्ल( व्यवधान)उसकी तैयारी है, लेकिन हमारी तुलना में चीन की विदेश नीति ताकतवर है, उसकी फॉरेन पॉलिसी बहुत मजबúत है और उसकी आंतरिक स्थिति भी हमसे ज्यादा मजबúत है। यदि हमें मुकाबला करना है तो चीन के साथ ही करना है। आने वाली सभ्यता का जो चक्र यूरोप में चला गया है, वह हमारी तरफ तब आएगा जब हमारे और उसके बीच ऐसी प्रतिस्पर्धा होगी कि चीन और हम बराबर खड़े हो जाएंगे। जसर्वेत सिंह जी, मुलायम सिंह जी आदि सबने बताया कि हमारे रिश्ते अच्छे नहीं हैं।
आपको मालूम है कि नेपाल के लोगों में सारी पार्टियों के मेल से परिवर्तन हुआ है। व़्ृEष्णा जी, वह मेल कराने में मैंने अपने देश के ा।लए छ: महीने लगाए। नेपाल हमारे बाजू में है। श्री बी.पी. कोइराला मेरे साथ दस बार बैठे। मैंने कहा कि आपके हाथ में लोकतंत्र वापस करने की कुवत नहीं है। माओवादी नेता कभी मेरे घर पर रहे हैं।ह्ल( व्यवधान) मैंने उन्हें समझाया। जब सब एक हुए तब वहां की मोनारकी बाहर गई। वहां ज़्नता ने काफी बड़ा परिवर्तन किया, लेकिन नेपाल की ज़्नता और वहां की पार्टियों में आपस में जो रिश्ते बिगड़े, उसमें कुछ झगड़े उनके भी हैं। उन रिश्तों को तबाह और बर्बाद करने का काम यदि किसी ने किया, मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि भारत सरकार की जो जिम्मेदारी थी, उसे हमने नहीं निभाया। हमें वहां संविधान बनवाना चाहिए। आपने नेपाल में संविधान नहीं बनवाया, तो हर तरह की आशंका जो लोगों ने की, वह हो सकती है। लोकतंत्र रहेगा तो त्राहि मचेगी। पशुपति बचेगा या नहीं, मैं नहीं जानता। लाखों लोग हैं जिनसे हमारे खून के रिश्ते हैं। आपका पहला फर्ज होना चाहिए कि वहां संविधान का निर्माण हो। मुझे पक्का यकीन है कि नेपाल की ज़्नता में पुरुषार्थ है जो किसी तरह दाएं-बाएं नहीं होगी। कोई मुट्ठीभार पार्टी आकर भारत और नेपाल के रिश्तों में गड़बड़ नहीं कर सकती। चीन की छेंड़िए। चीन ने दुनिया में कभी किसी को भी टुकड़ा नहीं फेंका। चीन का यह हाल है कि जिस समय मोनारकी हट रही थी तब उन्हें हथियार ा।दए। वहां के राजा की पूरी सहायता की। लेकिन वहां की ज़्नता ने पलटा और उसमें किसी एक पार्टी का हाथ नहीं है। तराई के लोग थे, पहाड़ के लोग थे, नेपाली कांग्रेस और प्रचंड की पार्टी थी। मैं आपसे इसलिए कहता हूं कि हजारों किलोमीटर बार्डर लगा हुआ है।
। यदि हमने वहां संविधान बनाने का अपना ठीक रास्ता नहीं पकड़ा, तो यह इा।तहास आपके और हमारे नाम पर रोयेगा। हमने यही देखा कि यह होना चाहिए, वह होना चाहिए। भारत सरकार यही काम करती रही कि यह बनना चाहिए, वह बनना चाहिए। आप दूसरे मुल्क के बारे में यह कहने वाले कौन होते हैं कि यह बने या वह बने। अगर वहां कोई आम सहमति बन रही है, तो उसे आप क्यों रोकेगे? मैं जानता हूं, लेकिन ज्यादा नहीं कह सकता। आपकी सहायता के बिना वहां सरकार बन गयी। मैं प्रधान मंत्री से पांच बार मिला हूं, लेकिन जो नीचे के लोग हैं, उन्होंने गुमराह किया। आज वहां सरकार बन गयी। मैं कह रहा हूं कि वहां सारी पार्टियों के लोग मंत्री बनने वाले हैं। नेपाली कांग्रेस, चाहे आपके तराई के लोग हों, दोनों कम्युनिस्ट पार्टियां हों, सबका मेल होकर सरकार बनने वाली है। आप यदि ठीक राह पकड़ लें और वहां संविधान बन गया, तो कोई भी बाल बांका नहीं कर सकता। चीन नहीं, अमेरिका आ जाये, वह नेपाल में कुछ नहीं कर पायेगा, हिन्दुस्तान की चलेगी। यह मैं आपको यकीन ा।दलाता हूं कि वहां किसी दूसरे की नहीं चलेगी। लेकिन आप उनके मित्र बनेंगे या मालिक बनेंगे? आप उनको दबाने वाले बनेंगे या आप अपने को प्रेम का छेंटा भाई मानेंगे। आपका अपने आसपास के मुल्कों के साथ तभी भाईचारा रह सकता है। कोई छेंटा है या बड़ा, राष्ट्र का स्वाभिमान भी होता है। आप वहां कांस्टीटय़ूशन बनवाइये। व़्ृEष्णा जी, एक-डेढ़ महीना बचा है, आप वहां संविधान बनवाइये। ह्ल( व्यवधान) आपके पास समय कम है। आप सब काम छेंड़कर तत्काल इंटरविन कीजिए, क्योंकि चीन बाजू में है। चीन के साथ उनका कोई मेल नहीं है। नदी, नाले, संस्कृति, तहजीब आदि हरेक रिश्ता हमारे साथ है। हमारे साथ उनकी पकड़ इतनी मजबúत है। हम सिर्फ वहां अच्छे से चलें और ठीक से संविधान बनवा दें। संविधान और लोकतंत्र से कौन ऐंता है, कौन नहीं ऐंता है? यहां कई सूबों में कई पार्टियों की सरकारें बन जाती हैं। वहां लोकतंत्र आ जायेगा, तो किसी विचार के जीतने की क़ूवत नहीं, ा।हम्मत नहीं। लेकिन उनको यह अहसास होना चाहिए कि आप वहां तिकड़म नहीं कर रहे हैं। लोगों का मेल कराके आप नया नेपाल बनाने का काम कर रहे हैं।
सभापति महोदय, र्एत में मैं अपनी बैंत समाप्त करते हुए एक ही बैंत कहना चाहूंगा कि इस देश की विदेश नीति, जिस तरफ हवा बह रही है, उस तरफ हम बह रहे हैं। जब रूस था तब हम रुस के साथ थे। आज यूनीपोलर वर्ल्ड है, तो हम अमेरिका के साथ हैं। मैं केवल एक किस्सा कहकर अपनी बैंत ख़्त्म करूंगा कि हमारी विदेश नीति कैसी है। हमारे आसपास के लोगों के साथ काफी ज्यादा तनाव हैं। हम चीन की बैंत करते हैं, चीन का नाम ऐंते ही हर आदमी के अंदर समझ आ जाती है कि अपनी क़ूवत इतनी बढ़ी नहीं है। जैसे गांव में बड़ा किसान होता है, उसके यहां रमुआ हलवाहे का काम करता है। अब रमुआ पाकिस्तान है और हलवाहे से अच्छा काम लेना पड़ता है, तो हलवा का जो ग्ऱ़्ड फादर होता है, चाचा होता हैं, दादा होता हैह्ल( व्यवधान) हां चाचा होता है। ह्ल( व्यवधान) नहीं, मैं बाप नहीं कहना चाहता। अमेरिका इतना ही करता है कि रमुआ से काम लेना है तो फिर चाचा क्या हम दोनों, मतलब कभी हमें आंख मार देता है और कभी उनको आंख मार देता है। यह सिलसिला 60 साल से चला हुआ है। अमेरिका हम दोनों को कठपुतली जैसे च़्लाता है। पाकिस्तान से बातचीत होनी चाहिए, क्योंकि देश ग़्लत बंटा है। यह अननैचुरल है। आज नहीं तो कल इसका कोई न कोई महासंघ बनकर रास्ता निकलेगा या फिर आप ख़्त्म हो जायेंगे। इसलिए डॉ. लोहिया ने कहा था कि महासंघ बनाने के सिवाय, पहले तो मुल्क बंटना नहीं चाहिए था, अगर बंट गया है तो अब कोई ऐसा रास्ता बनाना चाहिए, जिससे महासंघ बन जाये।
महासंघ बनने की बैंत है। इसलिए बातचीत का रास्ता बंद नहीं करना चाहिए, इससे ही रास्ता निकलेगा।
इसी के साथ मैं अपनी बैंत समाप्त करता हूं।
MR. CHAIRMAN : Now, Mr. Bandyopadhyay.
श्री महेश जोशी (जयपुर): महोदय, मैं माननीय शरद यादव जी से एक प्रश्न पूछना चाहता हूं। उन्होंने दो बैंतें कही हैं।ह्ल( व्यवधान)
MR. CHAIRMAN: The hon. Minister will reply. Please take your seats.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except the speech of Mr. Bandyopadhyay.
(Interruptions) … * *SHRI S.S. RAMASUBBU (TIRUNELVELI): India’s foreign policy is framed out to protect the fundamental security and development of the nation by the Ministry of External Affairs. Many of the key challenges and issues such as fight against international terrorism, reform in international financial architecture and international organisations, food and energy security and climate change have global dimension to look into it.
We have to enhance co-operation with neighbour countries. To improve the foreign trade and relationship between India and other foreign nations both in developed and developing economy, we have to arrange a good relationship with the help of our foreign emissaries.
Our Hon’ble world class Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh travelled extensively to meet the Prime Minister and President of various countries. By this way, he established a peaceful friendship with U.S.A., Russia, Japan, China and Arabian countries. He is creating a conducive situation to get a place for India in United Nation Security Council.
US President Barak Obama supported India’s membership of the various non-proliferation grouping like the NSG, Missile Technology, controlled regime, Australians groups that regulates trade and chemical and biological materials and the Wassener Arrangement and overseas trade in conventional weapons and dual-use technologies.
* Speech was laid on the Table Sir Lanka:
During the Internal war in Sri Lanka, the innocent Tamilians are severely affected. They are loosing their houses and properties. Our Government supported a lot. More than 1000 crores of funds have been provided to the Sri Lankan Government to rehabilitate the marooned and stranded Tamilians in Sri Lanka by our Government.
Nowadays, the Tamil Nadu fisherman communities are involved in much hardship to catch the fish in Sri Lanka border area of sea. Frequently they have been abducted and short to dead. To put an end this means, our external affairs must take a expeditious attempt to solve the problems amicably.
Safeguarding Indians in foreign Nation Whenever the problem arise in foreign countries, the ambassador and these Indian emissaries should take immediate action to safeguard the Indian interests.
In Libiya, there is internal problem arised. Our External Affairs took various steps to evacuate the Indians who are in trouble. But at the same time, we have to put more attention on Australia and America, where our Indian students are stabbed to death and ridiculed.
Now, Japan a developed country is in a great danger of Sumani and earthquake. It is very important to help these people and also to bring out our Indians from Japan. The Nuclear project is now damaged totally. The people are affected much due to the breakdown of this nuclear project. In our country we are constructing a nuclear project in Koodamkulan with the collaboration of Russia. In order to safeguard the people of our Southern Tamil Nadu, the foreign affairs ministry should take much care to establish this project with all the security measures. It is essential to tell the Russian scientists and government that the project must be free from fusion.
Passport and Immigration: Passport issue is very important for our Indian citizen to go to various countries for various purposes. Some Indians are going to foreign nations to carry their education. Some are going for job. Some are doing business. The passport issuing authority should take much care to issue passport expeditiously and at the same time notification of security point of view is also crucial.
South Tamil Nadu, Tiriunilveli is an important place to establish a passport office. Our External Affairs Ministry start a passport office immediately at Tiriunilveli.
International Terrorism: International terrorism is threatening our country in many occasion. We have to be very careful to prevent this terrorism by establishing a powerful mechanism of scrutiny and vision.
Relationship with neighbouring countries and also global nations are essential. Balanced foreign policy is a necessary one for the betterment of our strong India.
*श्री नारनभाई कछाड़िया (अमरेली): विदेश नीति वह नीति है जिस नीति के माध्यम से हम अपने राष्ट्रीय हित की रक्षा कर सकते हैं।
जब हम अपने राष्ट्रीय हित की रक्षा नहीं कर सकते हैं तो विदेश नीति का कोई अर्थ नहीं होता है। अभी हमारे देश में दिन प्रतिदिन खतरा बढ़ता जा रहा है। दूसरे देश जैसे - पाकिस्तान, बांगलादेश, चीन, अमेरीका इत्यादी देशों के द्वारा एक दूसरे के माध्यम से हमारे देश में आतंकी खतरा बढ़ रहा है। यही अभी चीन की बात करें, जो भारत के लिए सबसे बड़ा दुश्मन है। वह हमारे देश में आंतकियों के माध्यम से हथियार सप्लाई करने का काम कर रहा है। अभी हमारे देश के नक्सली इतने खतरनाक और महंगे हथियार कहां से पाते हैं। यह सब चाईना के माध्यम से भारत में भेजा जाता है। वह हमारे देश को किसी न किसी तरीके से कमजोर बनाना चाह रहा है।
चीन अंदर से अपनी पूरी तैयारी में है। वह मौका ढूंढ रहा है। वह भारत के ऊपर कभी भी चढ़ाई कर सकता है और यह चीन दूसरे देश को भी मदद कर रहा है। महोदय, अभी हमारे देश के सामने पाकिस्तान की क्या हस्ती है, लेकिन जब इसे बाहर देश से सपोर्ट मिलता है तो यह भी लड़ने के लिए तैयार हो जाता है। पाकिस्तान पूरे हथियार की मदद चीन से लेता है। एक छोटी हथियार से लेकर एटम बम तक वह चाइना से मदद लेता है और चीन मदद करता है।
अभी हमारे देश में बांगलादेश के माध्यम से घुसपैठ की समस्या बढ़ रही है और इन्हीं के माध्यम से बड़ी बड़ी तस्करी हो रही है और हमारे देश में जितने भी छोटे छोटे हमले होते हैं वह इन्हीं देशों के माध्यम से होते हैं और हमारे देश की आंतरिक शक्ति को कम करते हैं।
हम लोग समझते हैं कि हमारा पडौसी देश दोस्त है लेकिन मैं यहां साफ शब्दों में कहना चाहूंगा कि यह हमारे दोस्त नहीं बल्कि हमारे यह दुश्मन हैं। बाहर से अच्छी बात करते हैं और यह अंदर से घात करते हैं1 इसलिए मैं यहां मंत्री महोदय जी से आग्रह करना चाहूंगा कि जो हमारी विदेश नीति है, उस नीति को संशोधन करने की जरूरत है और इस नीति को जो पेपर तक सीमित है, उस नीति को प्रेक्टिकल रूप से लागू करना होगा ताकि हमारे देश को आर्थिक, सामाजिक और बाह्य सुरक्षा हो सके।
*श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोश (सूरत): मैं आज अपनी विदेश नीति के बारे में कुछ बातें कहना चाहती हूं। सबसे पहले अगर दोहरी नागरिकता की बात करें तो देश में पले-बढ़े कई परिवार पीढ़ियों से विश्व के अनेक देशों में रह रहे हैं। जो अपनी मूल संस्कृति एवं गांव शहरों से संपर्क बनाए रखने के कारण ढूंढते रहते हैं। मेरे क्षेत्र के आस-पास कई ऐसे गांव हैं जहां से हर घर से एक व्यक्ति विदेश में है। वे विदेश में रहते हुए भी अपने देश के प्रति अपनी कृतघ्नता व्यक्त करते रहते हैं। कई गांव ऐसे हैं जहां स्कूल, कॉलेज, सेवाकीय कार्य वे लोग चला रहे हैं। कई गांवों में मिनरल वॉटर के प्लान्ट उन्होंने स्थापित किए हैं। उन्हें दोहरी नागरिकता प्रदान करने से देश के गांवों को लाभ पहुंचने वाला है। दोहरी नागरिकता की इस योजना का कार्यान्वयन जिस तरह किया जा रहा है उससे यह योजना सफल नहीं हो पा रही है। सरकार द्वारा दोहरी नागरिकता के आवेदन सिर्फ चार महानगरों में स्वीकार किए जा रहे हैं जिससे अगर कोई प्रवासी भारतीय देश में आता है और आवेदन देता है तो उसे किसी भी महानगर में जाना पड़ता है। ऊपर से वहां से फॉर्म दिल्ली आता है। वहां पूरे देश भर से आए फॉर्म जब स्क्रुटनी होकर निकलता है तब इतना समय निकल चुका होता है कि वह प्रवासी भारतीय देश छोड़ के चला गया होता है। यदि इस आवेदन की स्वीकृति एवं स्क्रुटनी राज्यों की राजधानियों में की जाए एवं राज्यों को भी इस कार्य में सम्मिलित किया जाए तो यह प्रक्रिया सुचारू एवं स्पीड से हो सकती है जितने ज्यादा अप्रवासी भारतीय इसका लाभ उठाएंगे उतना उनका देश में प्रवास बढ़ेगा और इससे देश के अनेक क्षेत्रों को फायदा हो सकता है। जैसे विदेशी मुद्रा का आना, व्यापार, सांस्कृतिक आदान-प्रदान, देश में सेवाकीय कार्यों में बढ़ोतरी, देश के इफ्रास्ट्रक्चर में उनका सहयोग योगदान। मेरी विनती है कि इस संबंध में कुछ ठोस निर्णय यदि लिया गया तो इससे अनेक क्षेत्रों को लाभ मिल सकता है।
हाल ही में हमारे देश में एक फिल्म बनी थी सरफरोश ऐसी ही कहानी दोहराई गई। पाकिस्तान कलाकार राहत फत्तेहअली खान पर एन्फोर्समेन्ट विभान ने फेमा का केस दर्ज किया है। सराहनीय है कि केस दर्ज हुआ।
लेकिन प्रश्न यह उठता है कि आज तक कितने ऐसे पाकिस्तानी या बाहरी मुल्कों के कलाकार हैं जो भारतीय मूल के नहीं हैं पर भारत में सिर्फ पैसा कमाने हेतु आते हैं। यहां प्रोग्राम देते हैं और पैसा बटोर कर ले जाते हैं। आश्चर्य इस बात का है कि साल में भारत का दौरा करने वाले अनेक कलाकारों में से सिर्फ एक पर ही केस दज हुआ। हमारे कलाकारों पर और हमारे यहां बने सिनेमा पर पाकिस्तान बेन लगाता है पर हमारे देश में उनको बार-बार वीजा मिलता है। वे बार-बार आते हैं पैसा बटोर कर ले जाते हैं। जैसा की राहत अली के केस में ही कहा गया था कि उन पर काफी समय से सरकार की नजर थी फिर भी उन्हें बार-बार वीजा मिलता रहा और देखने की बात यह है कि उन पर कुछ रुपए का दंड लगाकर जाने दिया गया। ऐसा शायद इसी सरकार में हो रहा है कि अपने देश के किसी आदमी को पकड़ा जाए तो उसे पूरी प्रक्रिया से गुजरना पड़ता है और अगर किसी पाकिस्तानी को पकड़ा जाए तो उसे 15 लाख रुपए लेकर छोड़ दिया जाता है। मेरा प्रश्न यह है कि गत पांच सालों में कितने ऐसे कलाकारों पर सरकार द्वारा फेमा का केस दर्ज किया गया? क्या एक पर केस दर्ज हुआ? इसका मतलब यह माना जाए की बाकी के लोग हमारे नियमों एवं कायदे के हिसाब से निर्दोष है? मेरी यह मांग है कि ऐसे जो कलाकार भारत आते हैं उन सबके ऊपर कड़ी नजर रखने की आवश्यकता है साथ ही साथ इस मामले से सुरक्षा का कोई प्रश्न जुड़ा हुआ है या नहीं यह भी जांच की जाए और बाहर से सिर्फ पैसा कमाने आनेवाले कलाकारों के प्रवास आयोजकों पर भी वित्त विभाग चौकसी बरते।
हमारे देश के मछुआरों को जो भूल से उनकी सीमा में जाते हैं पाकिस्तान ले जाता है तो उनकी बोट भी वापस नहीं करता और हम उन्हें खुली छूट देते हैं। यह स्थिति ठीक नहीं है कला के नाम पर हमारे देश को लूटने वालों से उनको बचाना यह सरकार की जिम्मेदारी है ऐसा मेरा मानना है और मेरी यह मांग है कि इस विषय को गंभीरता से लेते हुए ऐसे कलाकारों के आर्थिक व्यवहारों की जांच की जाए एवं उनका वीजा बार-बार कैसे मिलता है इसकी भी जांच की जाए। दुख इस बात का है कि सरकार द्वारा ऐसा कोई विवरण नहीं दिया गया कि उन्हें बुलानेवालों की कोई जांच हुई है कि नहीं।
केन्द्र सरकार ने अपनी विदेश नीति में ऐसा बदलाव किया है कि यदि कोई व्यक्ति या परिवार अपने निजी कामकाज हेतु पारिवारिक कार्य हेतु या अपने व्यापारिक कामकाज हेतु भारत आता है और वह कुछ ही दिनों में वापस जाता है तो उसे अगले दो महीनों तक भारत में किसी भी मार्ग से प्रवेश नहीं मिल सकता।
कई भारतीय विदेशों में स्थायी हुए हैं वे या तो पढ़ रहे हैं या नौकरी कर रहे हैं या स्थायी हुए हैं। वे किसी भी कारणों से समझो किसी रिश्तेदार के बीमारी के वक्त या अपने पारिवारिक कारणों से भारत आते हैं और वापस जाते हैं या तो अगले दो महीनों तक उन्हें भारत में प्रवेश नहीं दिया जाता। वे अगर अपने माता-पिता या अन्य कोई रिश्तेदार की बीमारी के वक्त आते हैं और वापस जाते हैं और उस संबंधी का देहांत हो जाता है तो वे अपनी धार्मिक रीति रिवाजों की पूर्ति के लिए भी नहीं आ सकते हैं। अभी कई बच्चे आस्ट्रेलिया में पढ़ रहे हैं उन पर हमले हो रहे हैं और सारा विश्व इस पर चुप है। अगर वह बच्चा ऐसे कारणों से भारत आता है क्योंकि माता-पिता और घर दुनियां में उसके लिए सबसे सुरक्षित जगह है। इस नियम के कारण वह बच्चा अपनी छुट्टियां या कठिनाई के दिन भारत में नहीं बिता सकता क्योंकि उसे अगले दो महीनों तक वापस प्रवेश नहीं है। यानी वह अगर परीक्षा देने वापस जाता है तो परीक्षा बाद वह दो महीनों तक वापस नहीं आ सकता तो वह करे तो क्या करे?
इन नियम के कारण जिनके लिए यह नियम बनाया है उनको कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ रहा है लेकिन एक बेटा अपनी मां या पिता को कंधा नहीं दे सकता। जो कि उसकी जिम्मेदारी हिन्दू संस्कृति ने दी है वह निभा नहीं सकता। एक मां या पिता अपने बेटे के कंधों पर बिदा होने की अंतिम इच्छा भी पूरी नहीं कर सकता।
विदेश मंत्री एवं प्रधानमंत्री जी से विनती है कि इस नियम में संशोधन किया जाए और नियम जिनको ध्यान में रखकर बनाया गया है उनके बजाय देश का आम नागरिक परेशान ना हो ऐसा बदल किया जाए।
*SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE (SHIRDI): India is a major power today. The international community has already started acknowledging it. But the Indian Policy makers remain reserved, about the India’s rising profile. It can be seen that when representatives of Indian Government interact with major powers they reveal their weakness. It is a great concern.
Recently, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister went to Beijing to mark the 60th Anniversary of India’s recognition of the China. But will China Support India’s candidature for the Security Council now and also in near future. I have doubt in my mind. In all sphere, every time India asks for China’s support, the reply from Chinese side is big no. Is it not showing the China’s status as the pre-eminent Asian power that reserve their right to grant a big country like India the privilege of being in the Security Council? India’s experience with the UN has historically been underwhelming. India’s interests have suffered whenever the nation has looked to the UN for support. Indian policy-makers should work towards an eventuality where India gets invited to join the Security Council by virtue of steep heft in global politics.
I am worried about the fate of Indian fishermen now-a-days if they stray across the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in Sri Lankan waters by mistake. We all know that two Indian fishermen were killed in the sea between India and Sri Lanka close to Jaffna and Point Pedro in January this year. The first fisherman was killed after being allegedly fired at by the Sri Lankan Navy and the second died after being allegedly strangled on the seas. In another incident 136 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were surrounded by Sri Lankan fishermen, who caught them and handed them over to the island nation’s police earlier this month. I came to know that an India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries will meet this month to resolve the issues. My question is how a small country like Sri Lanka gets so much strength to kill our fishermen. Our Hon’ble Minster has hoped that Sri Lanka would treat the issue of fishermen on humanitarian grounds. Is there any justification of using the force by Sri Lanka against our fishermen? Who will give the answer? They will not give consideration on humanitarian ground. Only request is not enough. Indian Government has to create pressure on Sri Lanka diplomatically so that Sri Lankan Navy should not harass our fisherman and they adhere to the October 2008 Joint Statement on fishing arrangements in letter and spirit. Government has to take immediate measures to create confidence in our fishermen.
Another serious issue which I want to raise here is the activities of Somali Pirates. In total 174 merchant vessels have been hijacked by Somali pirates in the last three years. It is a global menace. I am happy to know that yesterday the Indian Navy has captured 61 suspected Somali pirates and rescued 13 fishermen after a firefight with a pirate mothership in the Arabian Sea. I appreciate Indian Navy for this. I urge the Government to take strong legal action against these Somali pirates amending the existing legislation, if required, so that they can be convicted without any further delay.
Presently the Haj Quota for Maharashtra State is not enough to accommodate a large number of applicants who intend to perform Haj. Many have been applying for several years, but due to the limitation their name could not be included in the recommendation of State Haj Committee. I, therefore, request the Hon’ble Minster, through you Madam, that Haj Quota for Maharashtra State be increased from this financial year so that a large number of applicant’s name can be included in list of State Haj Committee, Maharashtra for recommendation to the Central Government.
Before concluding, I would like to bring to the kind notice of Hon’ble External Affairs Minster that though a number of steps have been taken by the Ministry to expedite issue of Passport, but still general public find it very difficult to have an Indian Passport due to official and middlemen nexus. In many case, after preparation of passport, the same remain for dispatch for so many days in the regional passport offices in various parts of the country. I am not convinced when the passport is ready why the same is not sent/delivered to the applicant immediately. Why it is kept in the office for so many days and for what purpose. I urge upon the Government to look into this matter and take concrete steps for issuing and dispatching passport without much delay.
*डॉ. किरीट प्रेमजीभाई सोलंकी (अहमदाबाद पश्चिम): भारत की आबादी से लेकर अब तक की यात्रा पर अगर हम नजर डालें और भारत की विदेश नीति का विश्लेषण करें तो हम पाते हैं कि हमारी विदेश नीति की तमाम कामयाबियों के बावजूद इस लम्बे सफर में ऐसे मौके भी आए जब हम अंतर्राष्ट्रीय पटल पर अपने राष्ट्रीय हितों का संरक्षण करने में असफल रहे।
आज भी विश्व के अनेक देशों के साथ भारत के राजनैतिक मतभेद बने हुए हैं पर वे देश भारत के विशाल बाजार का दोहन अपने पक्ष में कर रहे हैं। चीन इसका साक्षात प्रमाण है। आज भारतीय बाजार चीनी उत्पादों से भरे पड़े हैं। हमारी हजारों वर्ग मील भूमि पर चीन का कब्जा है जोकि आज एक गंभीर चिंता का विषय है।
प्रश्न चाहे कश्मीर की समस्या का हो या फिर तमाम छोटे-छोटे पड़ोसी देशों द्वारा जैसे बांग्लादेश, श्रीलंका, नेपाल, भूटान आदि का समय-समय पर हमें आँख दिखाना हो या फिर विदेशों में भारतीय छात्रों, मंत्रियों एवं राजनयिकों के अनेकानेक अपमान की घटनाओं पर हमारा ढीला-ढाला रवैया रहा हो, यह कहीं न कहीं हमारी कमजोरी को उजागर करता है। तमाम ऐसे मौकों पर हमारे राष्ट्रीय नेतृत्व को कठोर तथा निर्णायक कदम उठाने में संकोच नहीं करना चाहिए। किसी भी देश की विदेश नीति उसके राष्ट्रीय हितों के अनुरूप होनी चाहिए।
भारत की विदेश नीति की बुनियादी प्राथमिकताएं सुरक्षा और विकास के साथ जुड़ी हुई हैं। वर्तमान विश्व व्यवस्था में हमें अपनी विदेश नीति को धार देने की अतीव जरूरत है तथा कूटनीतिक मोर्चे पर भी विशेष प्रयास करना वक्त की मांग है। अतः हमें एक ऐसी सुदृढ़ विदेश नीति बनाकर उस पर अमल करना चाहिए जिससे भारत विश्व राजनीति में अपना अग्रणी स्थान प्राप्त कर सके तथा शांति और सुरक्षा, अंतर्राष्ट्रीय आतंकवाद के खिलाफ युद्ध, खाद्य और ऊर्जा सुरक्षा तथा जलवायु परिवर्तन से उपजी चुनौतियों के खिलाफ वैश्विक कार्यवाही की जा सके।
*श्री कौशलेन्द्र कुमार (नालंदा):विदेश मंत्रालय, नालन्दा में प्राचीन विश्वविद्यालय को पुनर्जीवित किया जा रहा है। नालन्दा विश्वविद्यालय को नए तरीके से पुनर्जीवित करने के लिए बिहार सरकार कृत्त संकल्प है और बिहार के माननीय मुख्यमंत्री, नीतिश कुमार ने कहा है कि इस विश्वविद्यालय के पुनर्स्थापना के लिए जो भी जरूरत होगी, बिहार सरकार उसे पूरा करेगी और अभी तक उसने इस बारे में कोई कोर-कसर नहीं छोड़ी है। नालन्दा विश्वविद्यालय की स्थापना का मूल श्रेय महात्मा बुद्ध के सबसे प्रिय शिष्य सारिपुत्र को जाता है। नालन्दा विश्वविद्यालय के खंडहर में सारिपुत्र का स्मारक स्तूप है जिसे सम्राट अशोक महान ने तृतीय शताब्दी ईसापूर्व में निर्माण करवाया था। ऐसा कहा जाता है कि सारिपुत्र आम्रवाटिका में आम के पेड़ के नीचे बौद्ध दर्शन और जीवन-दर्शन जीवन जीने के सिद्धान्त एवं कला की पढ़ाई अपने शिष्यों पढ़ाते थे और यही चीज आगे चलकर धीरे-धीरे पर्णकुटिका में बदली, फिर धूप-छाँव से बचने के लिए ईट का बना जोकि कालान्तर में आगे चलकर नालन्दा विश्वविद्यालय का रूप लिया। यहीं पर प्रसिद्ध चीनी यात्री ह्वेनसांग 627 ई.वी. में आए और बौद्ध दर्शन की पढ़ाई की और यहीं पर फिर आचार्य हो गए और फिर अपने देश चीन लौट गए। लेकिन उन्होंने भारत-चीन मैत्री की आधारशिला रखी और इसी की यादगारी में नालन्दा में ह्वेनसांग म्यूजियम भी है जोकि भारत-चीन मैत्री का एक आधार स्तम्भ है। मैं माननीय विदेश मंत्री से यह मांग करूंगा कि वो इस म्यूजियम को भारत-चीन मैत्री का आधार स्तम्भ बनाने में प्रचार-प्रसार करे। मैं यह भी मांग करता हूं कि नालन्दा विश्वविद्यालय में सारिपुत्र की महत्ता को पुनर्जीवित करने के लिए उनकी मूर्ति को विश्वविद्यालय परिसर में लगाया जाए एवं उनके नाम पर पुस्तकालय, सेमीनार हॉल इत्यादि का नामकरण किया जाए। मैं यह भी मांग करता हूं कि इस विश्वविद्यालय के निर्माण कार्य में तेजी लाया जाए एवं इसके सभी खाली पदों को रोजगार सूचना कार्यालय/रोजगार समाचार में प्रकाशित कर, लिखित परीक्षा एवं साक्षात्कार लेकर किया जाए। ताकि सही प्रतिभा, इस विश्वविद्यालय में आ सके। कहा जाता है कि प्राचीन विश्वविद्यालय में द्वारपाल, विद्यार्थियों का साक्षात्कार लिया करते थे एवं उन्हीं के साक्षात्कार के आधार पर नामांकन की सम्पुष्टि होती थी।
भारत वर्ष को अपने पड़ोसियों से संबंध ठीक करने की सार्थक पहल करनी चाहिए। भारत का किसी भी पड़ोसी देश से बहुत मधुर संबंध नहीं है। हमारे पड़ोसी देश, आतंकवाद एवं उग्रवाद, नकली नोट बनाने वाले गिरोह, मादक पदार्थों की तस्करी का प्लेटफार्म बन गया है और वहां से चोरी-छिपे हमारे देश में आते हैं। इसीलिए यदि हमारे पड़ोसी देशों से अगर मधुर संबंध होंगे, तो भारत दिन-दूनी रात चौगुनी तरक्की करेगा, ऐसा मेरा विश्वास है।
फिलिस्तीनियों से हमारा सदा मधुर संबंध रहा है और हमने उन्हें हर विपत्ति में पहले भी मदद किया है और हमारी भी वो मदद करते रहे हैं। अभी जब वो विपत्ति में पड़े हैं तो हमें उनकी दिल खोलकर मदद करनी चाहिए।
संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ का सुरक्षा परिषद का स्थायी सदस्य बनने के लिए हमें सार्थक पहल करनी चाहिए और जो देश इस मामले में हमें सहयोग दे रहे हैं, उनका सहयोग लेना चाहिए। उनके सहयोग को आगे बढ़ाने में परस्परता और निरंतरता बनाए रखनी चाहिए। हमें जिन देशों का सहयोग नहीं मिल रहा है उनका सहयोग लेने के लिए हमें हमेशा सार्थक कदम उठाना चाहिए। हमारे प्रधानमंत्री को उस देश का दौरा करना चाहिए एवं उस देश के प्रधानमंत्री को अपने यहां आमंत्रित कर इस बारे में परस्पर द्विपक्षीय समझौता करना चाहिए। हम विश्व में तभी ताकत बन सकते हैं जब हम सुरक्षा परिषद के स्थायी सदय बनेंगे।
फिर संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ की आधिकारिक भाषा, हिन्दी को बनाए जाने के लिए सार्थक पहल करनी चाहिए। हिन्दी हमारे देश की राष्ट्रभाषा है और हिन्दी समझने-बोलने वाले, विश्व में एक हैसियत रखते हैं एवं एक स्थान रखते हैं। हमारे पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री, श्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी इसके लिए बहुत पहले एक सार्थक पहल किए थे, इसी को आगे बढ़ाए जाने की जरूरत है।
मछुआरों को गुजरात के साथ सटे हाई सी में मछली मारते समय, पड़ोसी देश वाले पकड़कर ले जाते हैं। हमें इसका समाधान पड़ोसी देशों से मिलकर करना चाहिए ताकि मछुआरों को गिरफ्तार कर पड़ोसी देश, अपने देश में नहीं ले जा सकें और हमलोगों को भी ऐसा कदम उठाना चाहिए कि उनलोगों को भी ऐसा कष्ट नहीं पहुंचे। फिर पड़ोसी देश पाकिस्तान में हमारे देवीमाता मंदिर जोकि सिंध प्रान्त में है, को नुकसान पहुंचाया जा रहा है, इसको ठीक किए जाने की जरूरत है और फिर अंत में चीन के साथ स्टेपल वीजा और फिर सीमा विवाद यथाशीघ्र सुलझाए जाने की जरूरत है।
*श्रीमती जयश्रीबेन पटेल (महेसाणा): विदेश मंत्रालय के लिए 2009-10 में 718, 2010-11 में 700 और 2011-12 में 800 करोड़ रुपए का बजट आवंटित किया गया है। जो हाल के अंतर्राष्ट्रीय राजनीति के परिप्रेक्ष्य में भारत को अलग-थलग बनाने की राजनीति चल रही है। इसके नजरिए से देखें तो ये बजट बहुत कम और भारत विदेश नीति के उद्देश्यों की परिपूर्ति के लिए बहुत कम है।
भारत सरकार के अंतर्गत विदेश मंत्रालय के उत्तरदायित्व का विभाजन 30 मुद्दों में विभाजित किया गया है। उसके कार्यकलाप को देखते हुए यह बजट बहुत कम है।
विदेश नीति का एक सिद्धांत है कि "मित्र बदले जाते हैं लेकिन पड़ोसी नहीं बदले जाते " इसके तहत साम्यवादी चीन, पाकिस्तान, बांग्लादेश, भूटान, नेपाल, श्रीलंका जैसे देशों के पास से हमने कुछ अच्छी बातें नहीं सीखी हैं। श्रीलंका ने आतंकवाद का खात्मा किया, भूटान में आतंकवाद को पनपते ही नष्ट कर दिया, पाकिस्तान जो आतंकवाद की नर्सरी है और भारत में वह आतंकवाद का जहर बार-बार फैला रहा है-कश्मीर के प्रश्न में हमारी निष्फलताएं, बांग्लादेश की घुसपैठियों को रोकने और भगाने में हमारी लाचारी, चीन के साथ भू-सीमान्तों का प्रश्न, नेपाल के माओवादियों के सामने हमारी घुटने टेकने की नीति, तिब्बत में भारत विरोधी चीन का हस्तक्षेप के बारे में हमारी निष्फलताएं उजागर करता है।
2010-11 के बजट में विदेश मंत्रालय के तहत देश के 200 जिलों में पासपोर्ट ऑफिस के कार्यान्वयन की बात की थी लेकिन उसमें कोई ठोस प्रगति नहीं हुई है लोगों को आज भी दिक्कतें झेलनी पड़ती हैं।
भारत में समुद्री और अन्य सीमाओं से हजारों लाखों घुसपैठिए आ जाते हैं और हमारी कानून व्यवस्था को तहस नहस कर देते हैं इसकी पहचान करने में भी विदेश मंत्रालय असफल रहा है। जो लोग विदेश से वीजा लेकर आते हैं उनमें से 10 में से 6 लोग यहीं पर रहे जाते हैं, उनकी पहचान करके उनको वापिस भेजने में भी हम असक्षम ही रहे हैं। वही लोग आतंकवाद, जाली नोटों-नशीले पदार्थों के कारोबार में लग जाते हैं जिससे देश की कानून व्यवस्था चरमरा जाती है।
हाल ही में अमेरिका में एक यूनिवर्सिटी को ताले लग गए और इसमें से 95 प्रतिशत भारतीय विद्यार्थियों की पढ़ाई खत्म कर दी गई, वीजा खत्म कर दिया गया और उनको भगाने के लिए उनके साथ अनुचित व्यवहार किया गया। ज्यादात्तर विद्यार्थियों के पांव में जासूसी करने के लिए सैंसर यंत्र लगाए गए और हमारी सरकार अमेरिकन सरकार के सामने ठोस विरोध करने की क्षमता भी नहीं जुटा पाई यह सब हमने देखा है।
मुम्बई में बम ब्लास्ट करके माफिया गिरोह आतंकवादी दाऊद मेमन करांची, पाकिस्तान में ठहरा है ओर वहीं से फिर से मुम्बई में आतंकवाद करवाता है ओर उनको और अन्य आतंकवादियों को प्रत्यार्पण संधि होने के बावजूद भारत लाने में असफल रहे हैं।
भोपाल त्रासदी का बड़ा गिरोह जैक एंडरसन और क्वात्रोची को वापस लाने में ओर उनको अदालत में काम चलाने में असमर्थता बताती है कि हमारी विदेश नीति कितनी खोखली है।
पाकिस्तान के साथ 1995 में पंत और मिर्जा करार निर्बधनों के अनुसार पाकिस्तान के गैर मुस्लिम धर्म स्थानों और भारत में मुस्लिम धर्म स्थानों का संरक्षण और परीक्षण की जो बात कही गई है लेकिन आज पाकिस्तान में हिन्दू धर्म स्थानों की कितनी बुरी हालत है क्या विदेश मंत्रालय को इसका संज्ञान नहीं है?
सोमालियाई दरियाई लुटेरों की गिरफ्त में अभी भी 53 भारतीय हैं उनको वापस लाने में आज भी विदेश मंत्रालय ने कोई ठोस कदम नहीं उठाए हैं। अंतर्राष्ट्रीय समझौतों के मुताबिक हम सोमालियाई लुटेरों के सामने कठोर कदम उठाने में और सबको हाथ लेने में भी असफल ही रहे हैं।
आस्ट्रेलिया में हमारे भारतीय विद्यार्थियों के साथ 3 साल से मारपीट, बलात्कार, लूटपाट जैसा व्यवहार हो रहा है और कई बच्चे पढ़ाई छोड़कर अपने भविष्य को बर्बाद कर चुके हैं। इसमें भी विदेश मंत्रालय का रवैया भी परिणामलक्षी नही रहा है। यह सारी दुनिया जानती है और हमारे भारतीय लोगों के हितों के साथ में खिलवाड़ हो रहा है और भारत सरकार हाथ पर हाथ रखें केवल निवेदन बाजी करके अपना कर्त्तव्य पूर्ण करने का अहसास करती है।
हाल ही में 9 मार्च को गुजरात की (बड़ौदा की) तोशा ठक्कर के साथ बलात्कार और निर्मम हत्या हुई है और हमारी सरकार ने इसके सामने विरोध जताने की कोई कोशिश तक नहीं की।
गुजरात के मच्छीमारों को पाकिस्तान की मरीन सिक्युरिटी एजेंसी द्वारा बार-बार पकड़ने की और उनकी 479 बोटों को अक्तूबर 2003 से जनवरी 2011 तक कस्टडी में लिया गया और 2333 मछुआरों का गिरफ्त में लिया है उनको छुड़वाने के लिए अब तक गुजरात सरकार ने केन्द्र सरकार के साथ 101 पत्राचार किए हैं।
विदेश मंत्रालय ने पाकिस्तान की सरकार के साथ संवाद करके मछुआरे और उनकी बोटों को मुक्त कराने के लिए ठोस कदम उठाएं।
पांच महाशक्तियां जो यू.एन. में स्थायी सदस्य हैं उनके नेताओं ने 2010 में भारत की यात्रा की लेकिन उन सभी का मकसद सिर्फ भारत देश से बड़े बाजार का लाभ उठाने का ही दिखाई दिया। हमारी सुरक्षा परिषद् में स्थायी सदस्य सभ्य बने उनके बारे में हम ज्यादा लाभ नहीं उठा पाए।
मिडल ईस्ट में जो सत्ताधारी हैं उनके सामने लोगों ने मोर्चा खोल दिया है उसको अच्छी तरह समझ के हमें विदेश नीति शांति स्थिरता और विकास के लिए सुनिश्चित करनी पड़ेगी। हमें चीन और पाक की हमारी विरोधी नीति को अच्छी तरह समझ के करारा जवाब देने के लिए सक्षम होना पड़ेगा ओर सीमा पार से हो रही आतंकवाद की घटनाओं को निरस्त करने के लिए चाणक्य नीति निर्माण करना जरूरी है। इजरायली पैटर्न से हमें संरक्षणवादी विचारधारा के बदले आक्रामक विचारधार अख्तयार करनी पड़ेगी।
सार्क, आसियन, ब्रिक, जी-20 के समूह के साथ वैश्विक जलवायु परिवर्तन, वैश्विक आर्थिक बदलाव, अंतर्राष्ट्रीय व्यापार व्यवस्था को बढ़ाने के लिए हमें अलग से सोचने की जरूरत है।
सुझावः
1. भारत के लिए स्थायी सदस्यता प्राप्त करने हेतु संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ सुरक्षा परिषद् में कड़े प्रयास किए जाने चाहिए।
2. हिन्दी भाषा को अधिकारिक भाषा का दर्जा दिलाने के लिए सार्थक कदम उठाए जाएं।
3. भारत-चीन सीमा मुद्दों को सुलझाने के लिए तत्काल कदम उठाए जाने की आवश्यकता है।
4. तिब्बत के संबंध में चीन की गतिविधियों पर बारीक नजर रखने की आवश्यकता है तथा चीन के साथ स्टेपल वीजा का मुद्दा उठाए जाने की आवश्यकता है।
5. भारतीय लोगों जो लीबिया में फंसे हैं उनकी जान-माल की सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित किए जाने की आवश्यकता है।
6. पाकिस्तान तथा बलुचिस्तान में रह रहे भारतीयों की संरक्षा और सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित किए जाने की आवश्यकता है।
7. भारतीय राजदूतों, अधिकारियों तथा राजनेताओं के साथ विमानपत्तनों पर हो रहे दुर्व्यवहार को रोकने के लिए अधिकारियों के साथ बातचीत करने की आवश्यकता है।
8. विदेशों में भारतीय छात्रों और नागरिकों की सुरक्षा हेतु तत्काल कदम उठाए जाने चाहिए।
9. भारतीय मछुआरों की संरक्षा, सुरक्षा और रिहाई सुनिश्चित किए जाने की आवश्यकता है।
10. भारत द्वारा अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों में शांति, स्थायित्वता और सुरक्षा को बढ़ावा देने के लिए परम्परागत भूमिका को ओर अधिक कारगर बनाया जाना चाहिए।
11. भारतीय युद्ध बंदियों और कैद भारतीयों की पाकिस्तान जेलों से रिहाई के लिए तत्काल कदम उठाने की आवश्यकता है।
SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (KOLKATA UTTAR): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I rise to support the Demand No. 31 relating to the Ministry of External Affairs. The debate was initiated by Shri Jaswant Singhji, with his very powerful and strong observations followed by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, who also delivered a very good speech and other hon. Members.
Sir, while going through the Demand, I find that the allocation of the Ministry’s Budget is actually Rs. 7,106 crore only. Out of it, the plan outlay falls within Rs. 800 crore. The Ministry of External Affairs, as such, is dealing with the whole international arena. It has a glamorous position among all the other Ministries. But I would like to know from the hon. Minister of External Affairs whether his Ministry is suffering a lot for the shortage of funds to run the Ministry in a bigger way.
While going through the Budget papers the Ministry of External Affairs, I found that it mainly includes the Secretariat General’s services; and the external assets among the major heads are Embassies and Missions. There could be more follow ups and steps by which we can open more Embassies and Missions.
This issue of passport and immigration, which is most important issue, has not been raised either from this side or from that side up till now. We normally get the allegations that the Regional Passport Officers are not accessible to the common people, who normally intend to go and interact with the Regional Passport Officer, with their problems to be resolved. That part also needs to be taken care of. I am saying so because in the City of Kolkata, the Regional Passport Office is situated in my Constituency and I receive complaints more or less regularly that the RPOs are not functioning properly so far as their queries are concerned.
Mr. Minister, Sir, you have your training programme and you have your special diplomatic expenditure, which is totally under your discretion. Even you have your entertainment charges. You have your International Cooperation Sector and you also Haj Goodwill Delegations and Manosarovar pilgrims. But when Haj Pilgrims go to Mecca Madinah or come back, they face tremendous problems. It has become a common phenomenon, now. It may be due to shortage of aircraft or due to mismanagement but the Haj pilgrims face a lot difficulties while coming back. The Haj pilgrims who were supposed to come on a particular date, are being delayed to arrive in the country by two weeks, three weeks. This is a major issue, which we should not take very casually. I think it should be taken up with all seriousness.
India has a firm principle. India firmly believes in the principle of international solidarity and brotherhood. This was the slogan from the very early ages. I had the privilege once to attend, as the only delegate from the Indian Youth Congress, the conference of the World Federation of Democratic Youth at Varna in Bulgaria. I represented IYC. At that time, the very particular thought and ethos of Indian foreign policy adopted by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru followed by Shrimati Indira Gandhi were international solidarity and brotherhood. These two slogans actually brought India at par with the world leaders.
We used to give slogans at that time in favour of Nehru, Khrushchev and Kennedy. Then, a new era had come in the world with the collaboration and for the combination of the three world class leaders, who could give to the world a very peaceful direction.
I must appreciate Sharad Yadav Ji, who has said, that there are two major powers, one is the USA and the other, the Soviet Union but one major power has now been totally abolished. So, America has now become the only super power in the whole of the world and they dictate the terms that in what way and in what capacity the world will run and move. India, on the one side, is the worst sufferer of the terrorist attack. In the past the world had nothing to say about terrorist attacks and they did not react but when the terrorist attack took place in the United States, 9/11, then the slogan started coming, let us do war against terrorism.
So, whenever we interact with the United States, we used to give them a very clear signal that a neighbour of ours, a country like us, India, which is still trying to stand on its own feet, with their so many economic problems, creates problems. It is only to protect this country from the hands of the Pakistani attacks and from their terrorist forces, the total Budgetary support to protect us from these forces is going at a sky rocket height. Our Prime Minister has visited so many countries. You have also visited a few countries. They are also coming to our country. So, going and coming and having these interactions certainly should produce some results by which we feel that India can give a real moral boost to the whole world.
I will make some suggestions before you, though these have been introduced through some Motions also. There is a need to make negotiation for securing Permanent Membership, as Shri Vijay Bahadur Singh was saying, for India in the United Nations Security Council. Where does it actually stand? We have got the membership for two years only, and then it has been abolished again.
We certainly try to move one particular issue. I think the whole House will extend support to a meaningful step for according the status of official language to Hindi in the United Nations. Hindi language should be taken as one of the accepted languages, a language of not less than a country having a population of more than 110 crore of people, and as an officially recognised language.
There is a need to ensure safety of Indian students studying abroad. Even yesterday one young girl had been raped and killed in Australia which has become a continuous process. How far are we taking steps and what sort of stern attitude are we projecting? We have nothing to care about any of these countries where the interest of the students is so badly affected.
Politicians, important film actors, well-to-do people and Ambassadors of our country are being harassed at the airports of the United States of America. Whenever they are taken for checking, they are extending their identity, but it is not being taken into consideration. Indians are being harassed and ultimately USA authority send a letter of regret saying that it was improper on their part and express their regrets. This matter also should be taken up very firmly.
India as a country has its own views at every stage. We have our own views to fight against terrorism. India has its own views about food security, for which we will have to take our own measures or steps. We are very much of the opinion that we must have our own energy resources. On climate changes and international financial and economic crisis, India’s voice was heard with respect in the G-20 process, G-8 plus and even in G-5 also. The climate change issue came up in the Copenhagen Conference also.
India now has enough strength and power to raise its voice in the whole world where the prestige of the country has increased in the esteem of people’s eyes. Globally India is now certainly a force to reckon with and we feel that if all of us unite together, we need not care for anybody. If China has emerged as such a huge force by utilising their human resources, why can India not rise to the occasion whenever it is required?
India should rise and protest if in any part outside the country democracy is hurt and democratic steps are throttled. A few days back the Egypt issue had shaken the whole world. The Gaddafi issue has started threatening Democratic process. India, without hesitation, will have to unequivocally make a statement that we firmly stand for democracy and democracy will not be allowed to be hurt at any stage or at any level as it happened in Burma. India certainly is trying to rise to the occasion.
I repeat that India’s basic philosophy of international solidarity and brotherhood and non-alignment policy can give this world a new dimension. I believe that under your able leadership, under the able leadership of our hon. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi, India certainly can get the right direction and can be a real force to reckon with in the world. Thank you.
*श्री महेन्द्रसिंह पी. चौहाण (साबरकांठा): हर कोई देश के लिए अपनी विदेश नीति अति महत्व की होती है, क्योंकि विदेश नीति के साथ अपने देश की बुनियादी सुरक्षा और विकास पूरी तरह से जुड़े होते हैं। हमारी विदेश नीति हमारे विचारों का, हमारी भावनाओं का, हमारी संस्कृति का प्रतिबिंब होता है। हमारे देश की सुरक्षा और विकास को ध्यान में रखते हुए हम विदेश नीति को आयाम देते हैं।
मुझे दुखः के साथ कहना पड़ रहा है कि आजादी के 64 सालों के बाद भी हम सफल विदेश नीति का निर्माण नहीं कर पाये हैं। विकीलीक्स के लीक हुए दस्तावेजों ने हमारी पोल खोल दी है। मैं आपके माध्यम से विदेश मंत्री जी से पूछना चाहता हूं कि दुनिया में आज हमारा मित्र राष्ट्र कौन है? ऐसा कौन सा देश है जो तकलीफों में हमारे साथ खड़ा रहे? हमारे पड़ोसी देशों की बात करूं तो ज्यादातर देशों के साथ हमारे सम्बन्ध अच्छे नहीं हैं। चीन, जो हमारा सबसे बड़ा पड़ोसी देश है, उसका आज भी हम विश्वास नहीं कर सकते। दोस्ती के नाम पर हमारे साथ विश्वासघात किया, हमें धोखा दिया गया और हमारी हजारों चोरस किलोमीटर जमीन हड़प कर गया, जो आज दिन तक वापस नहीं लौटाई है। तीन दशक तक हमारे साथ वार्तालाप करता रहा और हमारे चारों और फैलता रहा। हमारे लिए चुनौतियां खड़ा करता रहा जो आज भी कर रहा है। विश्वासघात उसकी प्रकृति में है। वह कब हमारा विश्वासघात करेगा, कोई नहीं कह सकता?
पाकिस्तान तो दुश्मन बनकर ही पैदा हुआ। सदा हमारे लिए समस्या बनता रहा। त्रासवादका जन्मदाता बनकर हमारे देश में आतंकी फैलाता रहा। हजारों निर्दोष लोगों की जान लेता रहा। कश्मीर समस्या में भी आग झोकने का काम करता रहा। आज वो भी गृहयुद्ध की कगार पर खड़ा है, पर फल क्या होगा कोई नहीं जानता।
बांग्लादेश, जिसको हमारे कारण आजादी मिली, हमारे कारण उनका जन्म हुआ वो भी आज हमारे साथ नहीं हैं। ऐसी ही स्थिति श्रीलंका की है।
नेपाल जो एकमात्र हिन्दू राष्ट्र था, जो हमेशा हमारे साथ खड़ा रहता था, उसे भी हम संभाल नहीं सके वो भी आज माओवाद के चपेट में आ गया है।
अमरीका हमारे साथ है, वो हमारा मित्र राष्ट्र है ऐसी बात कहकर हम अपनी पीठ थपथपाते हैं, लेकिन अमेरिका एक व्यापारी राष्ट्र है, वो अपने हितों एवं रिश्तों को ही ध्यान में रखता है वो हमें भूलना नहीं चाहिए। उसका पूर्ण रूप से विश्वास नहीं कर सकते।
अंत में इतना ही कहना चाहता हूं कि विश्वस्तर को ध्यान में रखते हुए, अपने देश के हित को ध्यान में रखते हुए, हमारी सुरक्षा और विकास को ध्यान में रखते हुए, हमारी विदेश नीति का निर्माण करना चाहिए।
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN (KASARGOD): Mr. Chairman, I fully agree with what other hon. Members have stated about the main objective of the Ministry of External Affairs. It must be the safety and security of the nation. At the same time, the External Affairs Ministry is not merely confined to the external affairs alone. It is related to some real internal issues also. We have the Home Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry. The sum total purpose of these Ministries is to keep peace, security and better relations with other countries.
While participating in the discussion on this Demand, we can say that India has been following an independent foreign policy since India became independent. It was true that during the time of late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru; Late Shrimati Indira Gandhi; and even later on we have been following such an independent foreign policy. We can be proud that India was the Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). It is true that each country has its own problems, and that country has to understand the problems of the other countries. But at the same time, we should not surrender our sovereignty and our freedom just because we have to have relationship with other countries.
As stated by some other Members, I agree that to some extent we are really following the pro-US policy in many issues. It is true that there was a vacuum in the international field after the setback of the Soviet Union and Eastern countries, but at the same time, now the situation has changed. We cannot say that there is a unipolar world with America as the superpower. We see in the international sphere / arena that there is regional cooperation in Latin America, the European countries, the Shanghai cooperation and also in the Asian countries. So, we should visualise and realise that it is not the US alone that can dictate.
Dr. Shashi Tharoor made a very clear statement that our foreign policy is fast changing, and he said that it is in accordance with the economic interest. For what interest are we following it? What political interest do we have in it? It is for this reason that for the last many years we are seeing a deviation and dilution in our relations with many of the countries.
We have seen a number of instances that the Government has taken. We failed to raise a strong voice when Iraq was brutally attacked by the US and its allies in spite of worldwide protest as was the case in the days of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and we were not able to raise a strong voice when Palestine was cut into pieces as we had done during the days of NAM when we were the Chairman. What was the reason for our giving negative votes twice against Iran? What was the reason for withdrawing the gas pipe agreement that was from Iran to Turkmenistan to India? These are all done with pressure from the US. Hence, I say that it has followed pro-US policy in many issues. At the same time, the changes were to be seen in the world. The US is not able to control its own unemployment; its own fiscal deficit; and its own financial stability. So, India has to realise these changes.
I am not saying that we should not have any relations with other countries. We should make better relations with US, Russia and China, but at the same time my argument is that our sovereignty should not be surrendered just because of some political interest and just because of some economic interest as it is against the independent adopted policy that we have taken earlier.
Of course, US imperialism has been dominating its power in many fields. It is not only on the issue of relations with other countries, but also in case of some other interests. I was a Member of this House in the Fourteenth Lok Sabha, which discussed the nuclear treaty. We know how the Government has managed the victory in favour of this Bill. We also discussed the Nuclear Civil Liability Bill. It is understood and it is reported that America is not fully satisfied with many of the clauses that we have incorporated, especially, about liability and some other issues.
As far as America is concerned, we can see that they always looking at their own interest. Of course, that is true. At the same time, India has to take an independent stand. As stated by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, though the independent policy is fast changing, it is needed in the new global arena, but at the same time, it should not be in the interest of other countries. I do not want to go into other issues due to paucity of time.
The recent developments in the Middle East countries should have serious concern, as far as our country is concerned. The change in Egypt is really a historical one. If you see, all sections of the people came together – the Muslim Brotherhood, the Communist group, the Christian groups – to fight against Mubarak. We have seen the same thing in Libya as well as in some other countries also. Here there is one significant factor that we have to point out. There is a belief, as far as these Muslim countries are concerned, they mobilize themselves on religious issues, whereas here it is not a religious issue, it is the issue of unemployment, food problem, inflation and so on. What is our stand or what is our approach towards these recent developments?
I think the people of these countries have to take the decisions. It would not be wise to interfere in their affairs. It is reported that America, Britain and some European countries have decided to interfere in Libya. I think that would lead to more casualties. At the same time, the fate of these nations has to be decided by the people alone. I appreciate the fact that our Government has taken all possible measures to bring back the people from Libya and other countries. At the same time, I would like to point out that there are people who are working in remote areas and they also have to be taken care of.
The political situation in Pakistan has become more volatile. The Pakistan Government has been increasingly under strain. The recent assassination of the Punjab Governor and also the heads of other minority Governments show that the fundamental forces are asserting themselves. The killing of two Pakistanis in Karachi by American CIA operator also makes the situation worse. We should not compromise with the issue of terrorism. At the same time, we should take every step to make the relations with Pakistan better. It is not that we have to withdraw from talks. At the same time, the other issue has to be taken into consideration.
With regard to Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan war is over. At the same time, one of the promises of the Sri Lankan Government was about the full rehabilitation of the Sri Lankan Tamils. It has not been fully implemented till now. It is reported that large number of Sri Lankan people are still in misery. In recent times, tensions have risen just because two fishermen were killed and also 136 fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and Army. There are reports, from the side of Tamil Nadu, that there is dissatisfaction. The Sri Lankan fishermen have also got the same opinion that their rights are not protected. Therefore, the Government should come forward to safeguard the lives of the Tamil Nadu fishermen in Sri Lankan area and also other issues.
17.28 hrs. (Shrimati Sumitra Mahajan in the Chair) I would like to point out one major important issue with regard to the functioning of the Embassies. According to the Passport Act, 1967, the passport is really a very important document, as far as the citizens are concerned. The privacy, the secrecy of the passport has to be kept, and according to sections 6, 7, 22 and 24 of this Act, the Government or the Embassy has no right to delegate the power of passport to any private agency or private persons. There are complaints in some countries, especially in Muscat and Oman, that the Embassy has invited applications from the interested persons to do this work or to assist in this work. It was on 20/10/2010 that applications were invited.
These were opened on 26.10.2010. This job was entrusted to the private parties. There was a complaint from Bahrain that this person who has taken this responsibility has some relations with not only the private parties but at the same time, he has relations with the ISI. I do not take name of any person. At the same time, the reports came in the Malayalam papers. We know that if we entrust the power of the passport to a private person, he may keep it for two weeks or one month. That passport can be misused. Even with all the safeguards that we are taking, we know that these persons may have many passports. The action is taken only when they come before the Court or before the Government. I want to know whether our embassies have got any right to delegate the power to the private persons about the issue of the passport, re-issue of the passport, extension of the passport or validity of the passport. If it is so, I request the Minister to go to the details and make the inquiry because these persons are taking huge money. At the same time, it is not the question of the money alone. It is the question of the security and also protection of the nationals. I request the hon. Minister to take this issue seriously.
ओश्री अर्जुन राम मेघवाल (बीकानेर): मैं विदेश मंत्रालय की अनुदानों मांगों की चर्चा के संबंध में कुछ सुझाव इस प्रकार है ः-
1. इण्डो-यूएस रिलेसन में भारतीय युवाओं को वीजा लेने में बहुत दिक्कत अमरीकी दूतावास द्वारा की जाती है अतः विदेश मंत्रालय को इन दिक्कतों को दूर करना चाहिए ।
2. पड़ोसी देशों के साथ संबंध बनाने में चीन से सावधान रहने की जरूरत है । सीमा पर चीन ने जो आधारभूत सुविधाएँ विकसित की है उसी अनुरूप भारत को भी सीमा पर आधारभूत सुविधाएँ विकसित करनी चाहिए । साथ में चीन की विस्तारवादी नीति से भारत को सावधान रहना चाहिए।
3. मध्य पूर्व में जन आंदोलन चल रहे हैं । भारतीय नागरिक मध्य-पूर्व में बहुतायत में रहते हैं अतः भारत को अपने दूतावासों को सख्त निर्देश जारी करने चाहिए जिससे मध्य-पूर्व में रह रहे मूल भारतीय नागरिकों को सुरक्षा मिल सके या यदि वे देश लौटना चाहे तो सुरक्षित देश में लौट सकें ।
4. यू.एस. ट्राई-वेली विश्वविद्यालय में भारतीय छात्रों के साथ दुर्व्यवहार हो रहा है उसको रोकने का प्रयास होना चाहिए तथा भविष्य में ऐसी घटनाएं न हो इसकी पुख्ता व्यवस्था होनी चाहिए।
5. समुद्री रास्तों में सोमालिया व उसके आस-पास लूट की घटनाएं हो रही है इससे भारतीयों के हित प्रभावित हो रहे हैं अतः भारत को ऐसी लांग टर्म पॉलिसी बनानी चाहिये जिससे भारतीयों की सुरक्षा समुद्री मार्गों में सुनिश्चित हो सके ।
6. आष्ट्रेलिया में भारतीय छात्रों के साथ निरंतर दुर्व्यवहार हो रहा है, हत्याएं भी बढ़ रही है । सदन में भी इस संबंध में चिंता प्रकट की है लेकिन अभी तक घटनाएं रूकी नहीं है अतः भारत सरकार को आस्टेलिया सरकार के साथ सख्ती के साथ पेश आना चाहिये ताकि आस्ट्रेलिया में भारतीय सुरक्षा के साथ रह सकें ।
7. भारत के राजनीतिज्ञ/राजनयिक लूक इस्ट पॉलिसी की चर्चा तो करते हैं लेकिन धरातल में इसकी क्रियान्विति सहीं ढ़ंग से नही हो रही है अतः सरकार को इस ओर ज्यादा ध्यान देना चाहिए।
* Speech was laid on the Table
8. किसी भी देश द्वारा अपनाई गई स्टेपल वीजा की पॉलिसी का पुरजोर ढ़ंग से हर प्लेटफार्म पर विरोध करना चाहिए यदि कोई देश फिर भी स्टेपल वीजा को अपनाना जारी रखता है तो भारत को भी स्टेपल-वीजा की पॉलिसी उन देशों के लिए भी अपना कर Tit for Tat की पॉलिसी अपनाई जाए।
9. विदेशों में भारतीय मूल के लोग कई अज्ञात कारणों से कई वर्षों से जेलों में बंद है । पाकिस्तान में सर्वाधिक संख्या है, उनकी सजा भी समाप्त हो चुकी है लकिन फिर भी भारतीयों को रिहा नहीं किये जा रहे हैं UNO के मानवाधिकार विंग से चर्चा कर भारतीय मूल के लोगों को रिहा कराने में कूटनीतिज्ञ रणनीति अपना कर भारत का हित साधना चाहिये ।
10. भारतीय मछुआरें बंदी बना लिये जाते हैं उनकी बोट भी जब्त कर ली जाती हैं इस तरह की घटनाओं पर सख्ती से पेश आना चाहिए क्योंकि मछुआरों की समस्या बढ़ने से देश की सामाजिक-आर्थिक व्यवस्था बिगड़ सकती है ।
11. राजस्थान के बहुत से नागरिक विदेशों में रहते हैं लेकिन वहाँ मृत्यु होने की दशा में लाश को भारत लाने में 15-20 दिन लगते हैं, कभी-2 महीने से भी ज्यादा टाईम लग जाता है, मेरी अपके माध्यम से मंत्रालय से मांग है कि मृत व्यक्ति की लाश भारत में वापिस लाने की प्रक्रिया में अपनाई जानी चाहिए ताकि मृत व्यक्ति का अपने पैतृक स्थान पर परिजनों द्वारा सम्मान के साथ संस्कार किया जा सके ।
12. इस वर्ष हज यात्रियों को बहुत तकलीफें हुई है अतः भविष्य में परेशानी न हो इसकी व्यवस्था होनी चाहिए ।
13. योगा व आयुर्वेदों को बढ़ावा देने से भारत के अन्य देशों से सांस्कृतिक संबंधों में बढ़ोतरी होगी अतः ऐसा प्रयास होना चाहिए ।
*श्री पन्ना लाल पुनिया (बाराबंकी): विदेश मंत्रालय तथा इसके अधीन काम कर रहे राजदूत, उच्चायुक्त तथा काउन्सलर्स विदेशों में पूरे देश की पहचान होते है तथा अंतर्राष्ट्रीय जगत में हिन्दुस्तान को सम्मान की दृष्टि से देखा जाए यही विदेश मंत्रालय की सार्थकता होती है। मुझे यह कहते हुए बड़ा गर्व हो रहा है कि आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री डा. मनमोहन जी के नेतृत्व में अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर हिन्दुस्तान की एक अहम भूमिका स्थापित हो चुकी है। हमारी अर्थव्यवस्था पूरे विश्व में सबसे सुदृढ़ है, अनेक ऐसे देश हैं, जिसमें विकास दर या तो नकारात्मक है या बहुत नीचे गिर चुकी है। बहुत से ऐसे देश हैं जहां पर अनेक बैंक फेल हो चुके हैं लेकिन हिन्दुस्तान का बैंकिंग नेटवर्क, मूलभूत सुविधाओं का ताना-बाना तथा औद्योगिक, कृषि तथा सेवा क्षेत्र में उत्कृष्ट स्थान रहा है, यही कारण है कि हमारी अर्थव्यवस्था अमरीका, चीन, जापान, पाकिस्तान इत्यादि देशों में सबसे श्रेष्ठ है। यही कारण है कि अमरीका के राष्ट्रपति श्री ओबामा हिन्दुस्तान में आकर देश की प्रशंसा की और देश के नौजवानों के लिए आर्थिक समझौते के माध्यम से 50000 नौकरियों का उल्लेख किया। अमरीकी राष्ट्रपति के अलावा, रूस के राष्ट्रपति, फ्रांस के राष्ट्रपति, इंग्लैंड के प्रधानमंत्री विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में आर्थिक क्षेत्र आदान-प्रदान करने के लिए हिन्दुस्तान आए। कुछ साल पूर्व तक इन देशों के राष्ट्राध्यक्ष भारत की यात्रा करने के बाद वापस लौटते समय पाकिस्तान की यात्रा भी करते थे, लेकिन इस वर्ष ये सभी राष्ट्राध्यक्ष केवल हिन्दुस्तान में आए और वापस जाते समय पाकिस्तान की यात्रा करना आवश्यक नहीं समझा। यह हमारे देश की प्रतिष्ठा का सवाल है और हमारे विदेश मंत्रालय की विशेष सफलता का प्रतीक है।
हमारे पड़ोसियों के साथ संबंध सुधारने की आवश्यकता है। पाकिस्तान, चीन, नेपाल, म्यांमार तथा बांग्लादेश के साथ निरन्तर सीमाओं पर विवाद होना और खुली सीमाओं के माध्यम से स्मगलिंग के साथ आतंकवादियों के आने की भी शिकायतें आती रहती है। हमें प्रयास कर हमारे पड़ौसी देशों के साथ सम्बन्धों को सुधारना चाहिए ताकि हमारा ध्यान हमारे देश के गरीब किसान, मजदूर, पिछड़े, दलित, अल्पसंख्यक आदि के कल्याण पर पूरा धन और ध्यान केन्द्रित कर सके।
मैं विदेश मंत्री जी को बधाई देना चाहूंगा कि उन्होंने भारत की हैसियत को देखते हुए अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद् में स्थाई सदस्यता के लिए आम सहमति बनाने में पहल कर काफी सफलता प्राप्त की है। विदेशों में विभिन्न विश्वविद्यालयों में बढ़ रहे हिन्दुस्तानी छात्रों के भविष्य की रक्षा करने के लिए भारत सरकार का हस्तक्षेप अनिवार्य है। आस्ट्रेलिया में विशेषकर हिन्दुस्तानी छात्रों के साथ हो रहे उत्पीड़न व अत्याचार को रोकने के लिए प्रभावी कदम उठाए जाने चाहिए। भारतीय नवयुवकों को विदेशों में रोजगार के अवसरों को कम करने तथा कहीं-कहीं बंद करने का प्रयास किया जा रहा है उसमें भी भारत सरकार का हस्तक्षेप अनिवार्य है। हिन्दुस्तान ने सभी देशों को पूर्ण सम्मान देने की नीति अपनाई है। मुझे यकीन है कि भविष्य में भी इस नीति को अपनाते हुए भारत की प्रतिष्ठा कायम रहेगी। भारत के अन्य देशों के साथ बेहतर सम्बन्ध ही भारत की प्रतिष्ठा का मानक होगा और इसी के साथ विदेश मंत्रालय के लिए प्रस्तुत मांगों का मैं समर्थन करता हूं।
SHRI R. THAMARAISELVAN (DHARMAPURI): Madam, I thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to speak on the Demands for Grants pertaining to the Ministry of External Affairs for 2011-12. I wish to support the Demands.
There is no doubt that India has made great strides in every conceivable area, more particularly, since we adopted the policy of liberalization, globalization and privatization in the early nineties. But some issues are pending and eluding India for a long time, one being the permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
In 2010, five permanent members of the United Nations have visited India. This shows our importance in the global sphere. Except China, all the other countries, during their visit to Delhi, have agreed that India deserves to be in the UN Security Council as its permanent member. What we are experiencing for the last several decades, since India has desired its ambition to become a permanent member in the UN Security Council, is that whenever any Heads of States of any country who have a right to vote in UN, during their visit to our country, make a statement supporting India’s cause for getting a permanent membership in the UNSC, but when they reach back their home, statements are pouring in contrary to what they said in Indian soil. Therefore, India should make determined bid for permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
India follows its own independent foreign policy. India is also making efforts to develop ourselves in the comity of nations. In this direction, India is striving towards strengthening our relationship with the USA. Our relationship with the other major power, Russia has always been growing and they are our trusted allies for decades.
Our increasing role in the European Union is worthy of mention. We are on the verge of becoming a developed nation. Our efforts are pooled in this direction.
India is aiming to further our goals of rapid and inclusive economic development and poverty alleviation in an increasingly inter-dependent world. Being a founder member of Non-Aligned Movement, we are striving hard to consolidate our relations with the developing world.
In the growing nuclear threat, we have to make renewed efforts in strengthening ourselves. We should not be found wanting, in case of any eventuality. Pakistan has been creating disturbances in our country. The latest being the Mumbai attack in 2008. In spite of producing proof, Pakistan is not taking action against those who had blatantly involved in creating disturbance in our land from time to time. In such a scenario, we have to study our foreign policy in new light to see whether our foreign policy is to be changed at least in regard to Pakistan.
Sri Lankan Navy indulges in harassment of Indian fishermen. The repercussions can be heard in the corridors of power in Parliament. Our Party, the DMK, our leader Dr. Kalaignar and the DMK Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu, have been raising the issue under ‘Special Mention’ and using different weapons available with us. Our Leader Dr. Kalaignar has written a number of letters to the Prime Minister in this regard.
I would like to draw the attention of the Government towards the excruciatingly painful state of affairs of the Indian fishermen, especially from Rameshwaram. Efforts should be made by the Government and the Minister to speak to his counterpart in Sri Lanka to stop harassment of Indian fishermen permanently by the Sri Lankan Army.
Madam, Tamil Nadu fishermen are facing the brunt of Sri Lankan Navy for a long time. They are brutally killed by Lankan Navy. There are instances of such killings in the past. From time to time, many Fishermen from Tamil Nadu are either brutally killed or taken to custody by Lankan Navy. I would strongly urge the hon. Minister for External Affairs to resolve the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen permanently. Tamil Nadu fishermen go for fishing particularly during the season of South-West monsoon, that is, June-July-August. They also go for fishing during the season of North-East monsoon, that is, September-October-November. This is an age-old practice followed religiously in these areas.
We come across severe clash between these Indian fishermen and Lankan Army and sometimes it leads to not only burning of steam boats but fishermen also get injured. This is a very serious problem which may take the shape of a severe crisis in the days to come, if not controlled immediately by solving the problem amicably without any further delay.
I once again urge upon the Central Government to come to the rescue of the fishermen of Tamil Nadu as they are adversely affected and also to evolve a permanent solution to this vexed problem so that both the sides live in a peaceful and cordial atmosphere in future.
I would also strongly urge the Government to ensure the safety and security of Tamilians in Sri Lankan, who are given the status of Internally Displaced Persons. I would like to know from the hon. Minister as to what efforts are being made in this direction to ensure decent living of Tamilians in Sri Lanka after the ethnic war with LTTE was over a couple of years ago. The Indian Government should ask the Sri Lanka Government to carry forward the efforts to ensure justice to Sri Lankan Tamils.
I would like to plead that the Government of India should realize the seriousness of the problem and make efforts to protect the innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka. I would like to specifically bring a couple of issues concerning Indians living abroad, particularly, the United States of America, Australia, Libya, etc. In USA, many Indians were humiliated by `Radio Tagging’ by the US authorities. These Indian students went abroad to pursue education, following due process of visa regulations formulated by the US Embassies in India. Still, they are taken to task. An US official remarked when objected by the Indian authorities that `Radio Tags’ are modern and trendy. Indians are fit with `Radio Tags’ in US. This Radio-frequency identification should be done away with as this demoralizes the Indians living abroad. They should be allowed to pursue education peacefully, for which they left India.
Hence, I would strongly urge the hon. Minister for External Affairs to take it up with the US authorities and put at rest this most despicable act of Radio Tagging of Indians pursuing education in the US.
Secondly, earlier, in Australia, many Indian students were killed. Now, the Indians going to Australia have come down drastically. Even in today’s newspaper, it is reported that an Indian girl is raped and murdered in Australia. Conducive atmosphere should be created in Australia so that those Indians who are still pursuing education in Australia continue without any fear or worrying about their lives. I hope the hon. Minister is maintaining contacts with the Australian authorities to ensure the safety of Indian students in Australia.
Thirdly, Somali pirates have become a big issue concerning Indians. Somali pirates are attacking Indian Navy warships in the Arabian Sea. Fortunately, Indian Navy could capture 61 of the Somali pirates and rescued 13 sailors. I would urge the Government to ensure safety and security of the Indian vessels in the Arabian Sea so that Indians are not taken for a ride by the Somali pirates in future.
I also appreciate the Government for taking steps to evacuate Indians stranded in Libya. But, I would like to mention here that in such a situation the Government should take immediate steps. Look at the case of China, they were quick enough to bring back their 30,000 nationals much before Indian Government started evacuating Indians from Libya. So, that kind of situation should be avoided and utmost care and priority be given to evacuate Indians in any troubled countries.
We are also having problem with China. China has been making all sorts of movement in that part of neighbouring China. Even China does not consider Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India. Not only this, it is also said that China is also constructing a dam on Brahmaputra to store water and produce power, which once completed, the flow of water in Brahmaputra would become dry and many parts of our country would face acute shortage of water. So, I request the Government to take up the issue with the Chinese Government seriously.
With these words, I support the Demands of the Ministry of External Affairs and conclude my speech.
SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA (KENDRAPARA): Thank you, Madam Chairman, for giving me this opportunity to speak.
Madam, I begin with associating myself with the sentiments expressed by the hon. Member Shri Singh and other hon. Members in extending our support and sympathy to the nation of Japan.
Madam, coming from a coastal State, from the State of Orissa and from the constituency of Kendrapara, I am very much aware of the dangers of the sea. You will recall that 12 years ago, the State of Orissa had extreme devastation on account of a super cyclone, after which the rest of the country reached out to us and many parts of the world also reached out to us.
Madam, we have a similar track record in this country and we must do everything in our capacity to help Japan. Apart from the hon. Prime Minister’s statement about the offer of sending blankets, and search and rescue ships, we must do much more because today we are a much more capable nation compared to what we were 12 years ago.
I also sympathize and extend my condolences on the untimely deaths of two of our very able Foreign Service Officers. I too had occasion to interact several times with Ambassador Jassal, who was an exemplary member of the IFS, representing our country in many critical assignments in this period, particularly after 9/11 and the attack on Parliament.
Madam, when we compliment individual IFS officers, we must recognize that the Indian Diplomatic Corps is a huge asset for our country. Our Foreign Service Officers are respected around the world for their competence, for their intelligence, for their astuteness and for their commitment to the country.
I would like to highlight one particular area where our foreign service has done yeoman service for our country. This is in the area of Free Trade Agreements. It is an example of India’s changing fortunes; it is an example of the high regard with which India is held, that over the past few years, our Look East policy and in fact, our policy to the rest of the world is bearing fruits. We have been signing FTAs with countries like Thailand, with Japan, with ASEAN. But what we must keep in mind is that barely a decade ago, when we expressed and when we harboured hopes of participating in organizations like ASEAN, we were literally being scoffed at. The same Wikileaks that have been quoted so often today also indicate how lightly India was taken in the world diplomatic community.
So, it is wonderful that our foreign service is succeeding on this front and succeeding in a manner without compromising on our core principles such as on agriculture. I particularly welcome the planned FTA with Bangladesh, our neighbour to the East, with whom we have so much in common and with whom we have been developing a relationship that is mutually beneficial, including tackling of terrorism in the sub-continent.
I must come to the issue of the Demands for Grants. After all, this entire discussion is about the Demands for Grants. It has got very little attention. If we notice, the entire amount is proposed to be taken up from Rs.6,375 crore to Rs.7,106 crore, which is an increase of 11.5 per cent. But there is more to this story. If we look at the ‘technical and economic cooperation’, the increase is actually 31 per cent. That is important because economic diplomacy is an important part of diplomacy and with India’s changing fortunes, we must use every tool that we have to build our influence in the world.
However, if we look at the other part of the budget of the External Affairs Ministry, the increase is almost zero. It is less than one per cent. This is an area of concern. If we look at allocations on the subject of ‘passport and immigration related matters’, there is an increase of only five per cent. If we look at the allocation for our ‘Embassies and the Missions around the world; to run them there is only a four per cent increase.
We know the difficulties that Indians face in getting passports. We know the delays that they face. Equally importantly, we also know the delays that people wishing to visit India face when they try to get visas for our country. When we try to do cost saving, we must not be penny wise and pound foolish. To cut cost, many of our Missions abroad have outsourced the process of issuing visas. What happens is there is a great deal of inconvenience to genuine visitors to India and at the same time visitors like Headley who come on officially issued visas to do reconnaissance for terrorist organisations have no difficulty whatsoever. If you look at internet chat forums, you will find many journalists, many investors, many people with genuine reasons for visiting India pointing out that their experience in getting Indian visas is the worst customer service they have ever-experienced. We must do more, Madam.
If you look at the economic diplomacy part where I was complimenting the Government for proposing a 31 per cent increase, it is important to note that Rs.1,690 crore, fully 55 per cent of that Budget goes to one country and that is Bhutan. This is fully justified. Bhutan is our staunchest ally. Bhutan is a strategic country with which we have a long running partnership in this very sensitive part of the world. We have energy interests with Bhutan and I have no grudge when we provide this kind of economic assistance to Bhutan. I may point out that our similar efforts are inadequate towards other countries. Some of this has already been pointed out by others. I must compliment where there has been good development. For example for Sri Lanka instead of Rs.90 crore last year this year we are funding Rs.290 crore and for Myanmar the figure has increased from Rs.90 crore to Rs.190 crore. These are strategically important countries for us. But, while I welcome that, the allocations that we have made or propose to make for our economic diplomacy in Nepal, Afghanistan and particularly African countries is not adequate. It is unchanged from the last year.
Madam, we must at this point talk about China. Various views have been expressed about China and neither of the extremes is true. The truth lies somewhere in between. If you look at India Vs China’s fortunes in history, they have waxed and waned. Sometimes India has risen above and sometimes China has risen above. As recently as 1980, the sizes of the economy were about the same and population also being about the same. The standard of living was similar. Chinese economic clout was about the same as India, as recently as 1980, but because of the step they have taken, Madam, today their economy is three times our size. As a result their per capita income is three times our size. As a result the amount they can spend on economic diplomacy far outstrips what we spend. This is an effort to acquire the soft power that the hon. Member Shri Tharur was talking about.
Madam, I will take two or three minutes more to conclude. I must point out that we congratulate China. We do not begrudge China for its success. We, of course, must recognise that China has become our largest trading partner. But we cannot at the same time forget that China’s interest in nuclear proliferation around the world and around our neighbourhood threatens us. We cannot forget the damming of the Brahmaputra, which was initially denied and now it is being said that it is not going to be a threat to India. We cannot ignore the issue of stapled visas which question the integrity of India. We must improve our soft power beyond bollywood and we must use economic diplomacy as a tool. Where can we do this?
Madam, we must allocate grants for Indian research institutes to collaborate with their peers throughout the world, particularly in the global south. The era of the non-aligned movement may be over in strategic issues but in terms of technology, in terms of higher education, India has a role to play and we must do it. This will be a win-win scenario when we help disadvantaged parts of the world to benefit from our technology, to benefit for our experiences to help build capacities which will help those countries and will help us.
Madam, in conclusion I must point out that we must take a look at what the Standing Committee on External Affairs has said about the External Affairs Ministry’s efforts. The Standing Committee has pointed out that there are delays in the implementation of e-passports and biometric passports. This cannot be condoned. In this era of terrorism in our administrative expenses we have been penny wise and pound foolish and I would like the hon. Minister’s response to this.
We must also note that the Standing Committee has pointed out that only about 50 Missions abroad had functioning Integrated Mission Accounting Systems. This is the new sophisticated accounting systems that the Ministry has. This must be extended to all our Missions abroad. I do not want to only criticize. There are many things that the Government must do to improve its presence and to improve India’s clout in the world.
I would like to end with a word of thanks for the efforts in Libya to bring back Indians who were stranded, out of which several dozen were from my Constituency of Kendrapara alone.
श्री चंद्रकांत खैरे (औरंगाबाद):सभापति महोदया, विदेश मंत्रालय की अनुदानों की मांगों पर शिव सेना की ओर से मैं बोलने के लिए खड़ा हुआ हूं।
महोदया, अभी कई सांसदों ने भी कहा और मैं भी कहना चाहता हूं कि हमारे यहां से कई बच्चे पढ़ाई और बिजनेस करने के लिए विदेश जाते हैं। विदेश जाने के बाद कोई वहां का नागरिक बन जाता है या बिजनेस करता है। लेकिन संकट आने के समय हम उन्हें ज्यादा सहायता नहीं दी देते हैं। उन्हें सहायता देने के लिए हमें कार्य करना चाहिए।
दूसरी बात, विदेशों से कई लोगों को हमारे यहां आने में बहुत दिक्कत होती है। जब कभी विदेश में कोई हादसा होता है तो उन्हें यहां आने में बहुत दिक्कत होती है। लेकिन लीबिया के लिए माननीय मंत्री जी ने अच्छे कदम उठाए। लीबिया, मिस्र और साउथ अफ्रीका जैसे देशों में जब भी कुछ न कुछ होता है तो हिन्दुस्तानी नागरिकों को तकलीफ होती है। मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि उनका ख्याल रखा जाना चाहिए।
तीसरी बात, आस्ट्रेलिया में जो बच्चे पढ़ने के लिए जाते हैं, उन्हें वहां बहुत तकलीफें उठानी पड़ती हैं। अभी हाल ही में 24 वर्षीय तोशा ठक्कर के साथ बलात्कार करके मार दिया गया और उसकी बॉडी को एक बैग में डाल कर फेंक दिया गया। इससे पहले भी अनेकों बार हिन्दुस्तानी बच्चों को आस्ट्रेलिया में जान-बूझकर मारा पीटा गया है। आदरणीय मंत्री जी का स्टेटमेंट आया और उन्होंने इसके लिए दुख व्यक्त किया। लेकिन दुख व्यक्त करने से कुछ नहीं होगा, हिन्दुस्तान सरकार की तरफ से कुछ न कुछ सख्त रिएक्शन जाना चाहिए। इसके लिए मैं कहूंगा कि सरकार का इसमें दखल देना बहुत जरूरी है।
चौथी बात, पाकिस्तान हमारा पड़ोसी देश है, लेकिन हम उसे कभी अपना नहीं मान सकते हैं। वह हमारा शत्रु है। वहां की परिस्थिति इतनी गंभीर है कि वहां के एक विधायक ने हिन्दुस्तान में आकर कहा कि मैं वहां नहीं जाऊंगा। वहां हिन्दू और सिक्ख भाइयों की संख्या कम है। वहां उन्हें तकलीफें दी जा रही हैं और वहां से उन्हें और ईसाइयों को भगाया जा रहा है। उनकी प्रोपर्टी जब्त की जा रही है। ये हिन्दू नागरिक हैं। सैपरेशन होने के बाद कई लोग वहीं रूक गए थे, उन्हें आज जो तकलीफ हो रही है, उसे भारत सरकार को गंभीरता से लेना चाहिए।...( व्यवधान) अभी तो मैंने शुरूआत की है।...( व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदया : आपका समय बहुत थोड़ा है, आप केवल अपने प्वाइंट्स रखिए।
श्री चंद्रकांत खैरे : महोदया, हमारी पार्टी का समय बहुत ज्यादा है।
महोदया, बांग्ला देश के लोग मुम्बई, महाराष्ट्र, दिल्ली, असम, नार्थ-ईस्ट एवं अन्य जगहों में भी हैं। बांग्ला देश के लोग जिस तरह से यहां घुसपैठ कर रहे हैं, उससे लगता है कि उनको कोई रोकता नहीं है, कोई पूछताछ नहीं करता है, उनके पास कोई वीज़ा नहीं है। वे घुसपैठ करके हमारे देश की आर्थिक स्थिति को बिगाड़ रहे हैं। इसके अलावा उनकी वजह से हमारे देश में लॉ एंड आर्डर की समस्या पैदा हो रही है, अन्य समस्याएं उत्पन्न हो रही हैं, जिनके लिए बांग्लादेशी जिम्मेदार हैं।
आजकल उनके नाम वोटर लिस्ट में आ रहे हैं, उन्हें राशन कार्ड आदि सब कुछ मिल रहा है। वोट के लालच के लिए बंग्लादेशी लोगों को क्यों ये सब कुछ दिया जा रहा है, आपके माध्यम से यह सवाल मैं सरकार से पूछना चाहता हूं? ये कई बार पकड़े गए हैं। उन्होंने जाली नोट छपाए और सब जगह बांटे। ये जो हिन्दुस्तान को खतरे में डालने का कार्य कर रहे हैं, उनके लिए भी सरकार को कुछ न कुछ विचार करना चाहिए। हमारे बाजू में चाइना है, कई लोग चाइना की अच्छाई कर रहे हैं और कई लोग बुराई कर रहे हैं। चाइना ने अरुणाचल प्रदेश के बारे में जो कहा है, वहां घूसखोरी चल रही है। उनका कहना है कि अरुणाचल प्रदेश हमारा ही है। उनके बारे में ऐसा क्यों होने लगा? वहां वे कुछ रास्तों का डेवलपमेंट करने के लिए भी मना कर रहे हैं। चाइना का जो दृष्टिकोण है, वह हिन्दुस्तान के खिलाफ है। यह बात मुलायम सिंह जी और कई लोगों ने कही, मैं उनका समर्थन करता हूं। चाइना के बारे में आपको बहुत ज्यादा विचार करना चाहिए।
सभापति महोदया, मैं आपके माध्यम सदन में कहना चाहता हूं कि जापान में जो हुआ, वह बहुत बुरा हुआ। जापान में हमारे जो नागरिक हैं, उनमें से कुछ नागरिक सुरक्षित हैं, बाकियों का पता नहीं है। वहां का जो स्टॉफ है, हम लोग दो-तीन पहले वहां गए थे तो हमें पता चला था कि वहां स्टॉफ बहुत कम है। मैं एक्सटर्नल अफेयर्स डिपार्टमेंट, मंत्री जी को कहूंगा कि उनकी जहां भी एम्बेसी होती है, वहां स्टॉफ बहुत कम होता है, उसके कारण से उन्हें बहुत भाग-दौड़ करनी पड़ती है। अभी भी वहां जो लोग हैं, वे बहुत भाग-दौड़ कर रहे हैं। हमने टेलीफोन से मालुमात की, वहां कुछ लोग सेफ हैं। वहां हर जगह अच्छी व्यवस्था होनी चाहिए। जापान में जैसे अभी हुआ है, उससे एक डर पैदा हो गया है। न्यूक्लियर पावर, एटोमिक एनर्जी के बारे में लोगों को बहुत भय हुआ। महाराष्ट्र के जैतापुर में भी लोगों को बहुत भय हुआ कि ये जो पावर हो रही है, उसके कारण से यहां कुछ भी हो सकता है। इसलिए जैतापुर के पावर प्लांट के लिए लोग विरोध कर रहे हैं। मेरा कहना है कि इसे क्यों लाना है? इसके लिए जो हम लोग युनाइटेड नेशन्स, सिक्योरिटी काउंसिल में जाना चाहते हैं और उनके वहां इस मुद्दे को रख कर हमने जो डील की थी, वहा इस पर फेयर विचार होना चाहिए। नेपाल हमारा हिन्दू राष्ट्र था, लेकिन हम उनकी सहायता नहीं कर पाए, इस कारण से वे माओवादी हो गए। हम वहां पशुपतिनाथ मंदिर के दर्शन के लिए जाते हैं, वहां पर हमारे बहुत से लोग हैं। वहां सारे के सारे माओवादियों के कारण से हिन्दू राष्ट्र की संकल्पना वाला जो देश था, वह खत्म होता जा रहा है, उसके लिए भी सरकार को कुछ न कुछ करना चाहिए। आज कई जगह फर्जी पासपोर्ट बन रहे हैं। हसन खान का क्या हुआ, उसका भी फर्जी पासपोर्ट था, मैंने टीवी में देखा है। ऐसे कई लोग हैं, दाऊद और जितने गेंगस्टर हैं, जो आर्थिक घूसखोर एवं आर्थिक नुकसान करने वाले हैं, उनकी तरफ भी हम लोगों को ध्यान देना चाहिए। उनके पासपोर्ट और वीज़ा कैसे बनते हैं, पैसे इधर से ऊधर जाते हैं। स्विटज़रलैंड में उनका पैसा है, ये कहां से आया, दो नम्बर का पैसा है। इसकी इंक्वायरी चालू है, लेकिन हसन खान का फर्जी पासपोर्ट कैसे निकला?
सभापति महोदया, अंत में कंक्लुड करते हुए मैं इतना ही कहूंगा कि मेरा जो सम्भाजी नगर शहर है, मेरे वहां अजंता-एलौरा एक बहुत बड़े ऐतिहासिक स्थान हैं। वहां कई हिस्टोरिकल मॉन्यूमेंट्स हैं। वहां कई टूरिस्ट्स आते-जाते हैं। वहां इंडस्ट्रियल सैक्टर बहुत बड़ा है। वहां कई लोग फॉरेन से जापान, अमेरिका, कोरिया और कीनिया से बिजनैस करने के लिए आते-जाते हैं। हमारे यहां से भी कई लोग वहां बिजनैस करने के लिए जाते हैं। मेरा क्षेत्र इतना बड़ा है, वहां कुछ साल पहले पासपोर्ट ऑफिस खुला था। मैंने एस्टीमेट कमेटी में डिमांड की, मुंबई में भी हमारी कमेटी ने विजिट की, मैं भी उसमें था। वहां भी हम लोगों ने कहा। महाराष्ट्र में चार पासपोर्ट के ऑफिसेस हैं। उन्होंने मुंबई से काँटेक्ट किया। हमारे यहां के लोगों को पासपोर्ट, वीज़ा लेने के लिए मुंबई जाना पड़ता है। हमारे यहां के कई बच्चे फॉरेन में पढ़ते हैं, उनके माता-पिता भी वहां जाते हैं। कई लोग नौकरियों के लिए जाते हैं, उनका पासपोर्ट बनने के लिए हमारे यहां पासपोर्ट ऑफिस होना चाहिए।
18.00 hrs. औरंगाबाद मराठवाड़ा की कैपीटल है और मराठवाड़ा की कैपीटल होने के कारण से 8-10 जिले उसके साथ में एडजोइनिंग है, जिससे भी मुम्बई के ऊपर ज्यादा बोझ आता है, इसलिए पासपोर्ट ऑफिस हमारे यहां खोलना चाहिए। इसलिए मैं मंत्री जी से आपके माध्यम से विनती करूंगा, मैंने सैक्रेटरी राव जी से और बाकी सबसे कितनी ही बार कहा कि यह होना चाहिए, क्योंकि इसके पहले वहां पासपोर्ट ऑफिस था। मैं आपके माध्यम से यह कहूंगा कि निश्चित रूप से मेरी मांग मंजूर होनी चाहिए।
आपने जो मुझे बोलने का समय दिया, उसके लिए धन्यवाद। जयहिन्द, जय भारत।
सभापति महोदया : माननीय सदस्यगण से निवेदन है कि 6 बज रहे हैं, अभी 10 लोगों को और बोलना है और शून्य काल भी करना है, इसलिए अगर आप सब की सहमति हो तो सदन का समय एक घंटा बढ़ा देते हैं।
कई माननीय सदस्य: हां।
सभापति महोदया : इस चर्चा का उत्तर मंत्री जी कल प्रश्नकाल के पश्चात दे देंगे। सदन का समय एक घंटा बढ़ा देते हैं, लेकिन उसके साथ ही एक निवेदन और भी है कि कृपया बहुत थोड़े में अपनी पाइंटवाइज़ बात रखें तो सब के बोलने के लिए समय ठीक रहेगा। श्री शिवासामी।
*SHRI C. SIVASAMI (TIRUPPUR): Madam Chairperson, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs.
The prosperity and development of a country is dependent on the good relations it maintains with other countries, especially its neighbours. This is the basic requirement. But when we raise a question as to whether we have good relations with our immediate neighbours, the answer is not in the affirmative. We can wake up a person who is really sleeping, but not one who pretends to be sleeping. We can rely upon friends, but not those who act like friends. China is one such country whom we cannot entirely depend on and rely upon.
China is objecting to our constructing roads in our border areas adjoining the LoC between India and Pakistan. But the very same China has gone in for a well laid road abetting Arunachal Pradesh. When China has built up adequate infrastructure facilities to go against us from across the Arunachal border, we have not provided even the basic amenities needed for our people living in this side of the border in our country even after so many years because of the unresolved boundary issue with China.
China has established good relations with Myanmar and also with our neighbouring country Pakistan and China has got a foothold. Similarly, China has gone all out to reach Sri Lankan Government in the name of extending assistance to strengthen their harbour and naval base thereby strengthening its foothold there also. Thus, China has established good rapport with our neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal thereby ensuring its strong foothold in all these border areas apart from Arunachal Pradesh where they have strengthened their military presence. I would like to point out that this will pose a serious threat to our security. I would like to warn this Government through this august House that China has its overwhelming presence across our borders and it is not a dependable neighbouring country and it can rise against any time.
When it comes to Pakistan, though it talks in terms of holding negotiations, it is not extending any help to the investigations against the perpetrators of Mumbai attack on 26/11 and is not helping us to hold inquiry of those who masterminded and remain in prisons there. Pakistan is still encouraging cross-border terrorism. Counterfeit currencies flow from Pakistan to destabilize Indian economy. Thus, we are not able to maintain good relationship with our immediate neighbour Pakistan.
When it comes to Sri Lanka, I have to point out that we do not know what happened to Rs. 500 crore we gave to their Government to ensure relief and rehabilitation to thousands of internally displaced Tamils who are still languishing in the makeshift camps. The ground reality is that the amount has not been properly spent as yet on them and their condition has not improved and their sufferings have not been ameliorated. Though Sri Lanka shows itself as a friendly country to India, their Navy has killed 540 of our fishermen and continue with violent attacks on our fisherfolk day in, day out. I would like to point out that this continuous shooting down of our fishermen is vitiating the cordial relationship we would like to have. In 1974, when Katchtivu Islet was given away to Sri Lanka, an Accord was signed to retain the rights of our Indian fishermen to wash and dry their fishing nets. It is painful to note that that right of ours has been given a go-by and we are mute spectators to the ground reality that the Sri Lankan Navy is summarily denying permission to our fishermen to even go near Katchativu.
Mr. David Cameroon, the Prime Minister of UK, Mr. Barrack Obama the US President, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, Mr. Wen Jiabo, the Chinese Premier and Mr. Demetry Medvedev, the Russian President, all these leaders who are the permanent members of the UN Security Council visited India in the last few months. They held talks with our Prime Minister and other leaders. But all these five leaders who are powerful in their own way could not contribute to ease our relations with our neighbours in the neighbourhood. This is the hard reality. Though we are extending hands of friendship to other countries, we do not have real friends. We cannot ensure the safety and security of our students in Australia and also in USA. No powerful country is coming forward to help us in saving our Indian sailors who have been held as captives by the Somali pirates. Our neighbouring countries are jealous of our economic growth and we are being targeted as a developing country and they are nurturing a grouse against us resorting to activities which are inimical to our interests. Our Foreign Policy must be to build bridges with our neighbours maintaining good relations while taking care to see that we do not suffer due to the false friendly gestures extended by them. Hence I urge upon the Union Government to evolve a pragmatic Foreign Policy that will ensure lasting and durable friendship that will be in the interest of our country. Impressing upon you to take note of this, let me conclude. Thank you.
SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO (KHAMMAM): I would like to express my views and suggestions on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs.
The total Budget allocation for this year is Rs. 7,106 crore, which is only an increase of 11.50 per cent compared to the previous year. The increase in the allocation for passport and emigration is only five per cent. This is one area where our people are suffering. So, the allocation should have been more. People are facing a lot of problems for getting passports. On the emigration side also, there are a lot of problems. So, for this the allocation should have been more. With regard to aid and advances, we should target African countries. We should improve the relation with most of the African countries.
First of all, on behalf of my Party and the people, I would like to convey our solidarity and sympathy to the people of Japan who are facing the second worst crisis in their life time. The Government of India should be in the forefront to help Japan, which is our friendly country. All kinds of emergency helps should be extended and we should provide necessary basic amenities to the affected people there.
Our relations with our neighbouring countries, like China, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh is not showing any progress, because of which we are not able to solve the recurring problems and issues with those countries. Chinese aggression and territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh is affecting the smooth relations between the two countries. The number of incursions by Chinese troops into the Indian territory is increasing every day. This is one area about which our Government should think seriously. The bilateral trade between both the countries is around $ 50 billions. But our problems over the LAC and the Chinese incursions have not stopped. This is very important. They refuse regular visas and provide stapled visas to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. That shows the level of relationship that exists between the two countries. We have to effectively deal with the situation. That is very important.
This situation is very, very important with China.
Coming to Pakistan, cross border terrorism, Kashmir dispute, numerous military conflicts are some of the areas which we are not tackling effectively. These are the long-pending issues. We are unable to tackle all these long-pending issues. We should be very careful because now we are planning to bring a pipeline of 2,275 kilometres stretch from Iran to India. This issue should be solved amicably. This is very important.
Now, coming to USA, at present, we are having the Tri Valley issue. On this issue, I met the hon. Minister of External Affairs as well as the hon. Prime Minister. This issue is not solved. Our students are suffering very badly. They have put radio tags. Recently, these radio tags have also been increased. Why is not our Government forcing USA and why is not our Government taking it seriously? Somehow, this is one issue which has to be solved immediately. Otherwise, our students are affected very badly. मैं आपके माध्यम से मंत्री जी से कहना चाहता हूं कि recently, we came to know that about seven or eight students are in jail. They have attached radio tags on them. This is a very important area. We are a very strong country. I do not know why USA is doing with us like this. I do not know why we are not able to solve such a small students’ problem. Is it not the total failure of the Government? मैं आपके माध्यम से रिक्वैस्ट करना चाहता हूं that please solve this issue as most of the students are from my State. I would like to tell you here that about seven to eight students are in jail. This is a fact and this is a very important issue. We have to help these people.
Coming to Australia, we have seen that one of the girl students was killed yesterday. This happened last year also. I had personally gone and met the hon. Minister. मिनिस्टर साहब ने खुद जाकर देखा। I do not know how these countries are doing with India like this. We should raise our voice. If anybody touches Indians, we should not leave them. So, this issue has to be tackled properly and immediately.
Lastly, a large number of our countrymen are working in the Middle Eastern countries like Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and UAE. The recent uprising and peoples’ demand in those countries for democracy and the Rulers harsh steps by using military to suppress the agitations has led to a major shake up in the political and economic instability of those countries. This is creating a lot of uncertainties and hardships to our people who are working in those countries for decades and sending their hard-earned foreign exchange. We are getting a lot of foreign exchange from these countries. … (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Please conclude.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO : Madam, I would like to mention here that the hon. Minister has handled the Libya issue very well. So, everybody should appreciate for the good work done by the Government.
Madam, lastly, I would like to request the Government of India to take a note of all the issues. The most important aspect is that the foreign policy issue should be taken very seriously. The foreign policy is to be improved. It is because we are not having good relations with our neighbouring countries. China is attacking all around. Why are they doing? Some intention may be there. So, as far as foreign policy issue is concerned, it is very important. Our country’s protection is also very important.
Madam, with these words, I conclude my speech.
*श्री जगदम्बिका पाल (डुमरियागंज): मैं भारत के विदेश मंत्रालय के लिए वर्ष 2011-12 के लिए प्रस्तुत बजट का समर्थन करता हूँ। भारत की विदेश नीति देश की बुनियादी सुरक्षा और विकास संबंधी प्राथमिकताओं के साथ पूरी तरह जुड़ी है । हम एक ऐसी वैश्विक व्यवस्था की इच्छा रखते हैं जिसमें भारत के हित सुनिश्चित हों, भारत की निर्णय लेने संबंधी स्वायत्तता के लिए सुरक्षोपाय हों और इन सबसे उपर देश के त्वरित, दीर्घकालिक तथा सर्वव्यापी सामाजिक आर्थिक विकास को प्राप्त करने के लिए सहायक हो । इस उद्देश्य के लिए भारतीय विदेश नीति में हमारे महत्वपूर्ण राष्ट्रीय मूल्यों के प्रति एक दृढ़ बचनबद्धता और अंतराष्ट्रीय माहौल में हुये बदलाव की सक्रिय अनुकूलता के गुण विद्यमान है । हमारी विदेश नीति का उद्देश्य केन्द्र सरकार का शांतिपूर्ण एवं सुरक्षित पड़ोस, प्रमुख शक्तियों के साथ सौहार्दपूर्ण एवं संतुलति संबंध और विकासशील देशों के साथ परस्पर लाभकारी भागीदारी है । हमारे समय के अनेक महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तनों जैसे शांति और सुरक्षा जिनमें अंतर्राष्ट्रीय आतंकवाद के खिलाफ युद्ध, अंतर्राष्ट्रीय वित्तीय ढ़ांचे का सुधार तथा अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संगठनों, खाद्य और ऊर्जा सुरक्षा तथा जलवायु परिवर्तन भी शामिल है का वैश्विक आयाम है और इसके लिए सहयोगी वैश्विक कार्यवाही की आवश्यकता है । वर्ष 2009-10 नवंबर 2008 के मुंबई आतंकी हमले और वैश्विक वित्तीय संकट के बाद की स्थिति में हमारी विदेश नीति का परिणाम रहा है कि हमने प्रभावी ढंग से चुनौतियों का मुकाबला किया है तथा अन्य क्षेत्रों में भी महत्वपूर्ण उपलब्धियां भी हासिल की गयी हैं । विदेश नीति का सिद्धांत भारत की हमारे उपमहाद्वीप के सभी पड़ोसी देशों के साथ घनिष्ठ और अच्छे पड़ोसी संबंधों के प्रति वचनबद्धता, समानता और परस्पर सम्मान को बुनियादी सिद्धांतों पर आधारित है । इसी दिशा में भारत ने दिसंबर 2009 में भूटान के पांचवें नरेश महामहिम जिग्मे खेसर नामग्यांल बांग्चुक की यात्रा से भारत और भूटान के द्विपक्षीय संबंध और प्रगाढ़ और सुदृढ़ हुये । इसी तरह हमने अपने पड़ोसी मुल्कों के साथ मैत्रीपूर्ण रिश्तों में मजबूती की है । अगस्त 2009 में प्रधानमंत्री माधव कुमार नेपाल की भारत यात्रा और फरवरी 2010 में राष्ट्रपति रामबरन यादव की यात्रा से मैत्रीपूर्ण सहयोग की प्रगाढ़ता में मजबूती और नेपाल के साथ हमारे विलक्षण एवं बहुआयामी संबंध मजबूत हुये हैं । बांग्लादेश में बहुदलीय लोकतंत्र की पुनर्स्थापना का बांग्लादेश के साथ सहयोग के कई क्षेत्रों पर सकारात्मक प्रभाव रहा । जनवरी 2010 में प्रधानमंत्री शेख हसीना का यह आश्वासन कि बांग्लादेश की भूमि से भारत विरोधी कार्यकलाप चलाने की अनुमति नहीं दी जायेगी । ये हमारी विदेश नीति का परिणाम है । वर्ष 2009-10 के दौरान अफगानिस्तान के पुनर्निर्माण में भारत का सहयोग और योगदान और सदृढ़ हुआ है । श्रीलंका के साथ भारत का सहयोग और योगदान और सुदृढ़ हुआ है । भारत ने तमिल अल्पसंख्यकों के आंतरिक रूप से विस्थापित व्यक्तियों को राहत, पुर्नवास और पुर्नस्थापित करने तथा देश के युद्ध पीड़ित क्षेत्रों के दीर्घकालिक पुनर्निमाण के लिए 500 करोड़ रूपये की सहायता प्रदान की है । भारत ने अपने निकटतम पड़ोसी देशों के साथ घनिष्ठ संबंध बनाये रखने के अलावा सार्क के अन्य सदस्य देशों के साथ मिलकर सार्क को क्षेत्रीय एकजुटता के प्रभावी साधन के रूप में परिवर्तित करने के लिए कार्य करना जारी रखा है । भारत चीन के साथ अपने संबंधों को अत्यधिक महत्व देता है । इस संबंध की जटिल प्रकृति के बावजूद दोनों देशों के बीच उच्चस्तरीय राजनैतिक तालमेल जारी रखा है । प्रधान मंत्री डा0 मनमोहन सिंह की चीन के राष्ट्रपति हू-जिन्ताओं के साथ येकातेरिनबर्ग (जून 2009) में और प्रधानमंत्री बेन जियाबाओं के साथ हुआहिन (अक्टूबर 2009) में मुलाकात हुयी । इस अवधि के दौरान दोनों देशों के बीच सभी मसलों पर होने वाली संस्थागत वार्ता, डब्ल्यूटीओ वार्ता का दोहा दौर जलवायु परिवर्तन, वैश्विक आर्थिक संकट इत्यादि मसलों पर काफी रचनात्मक बातचीत हुयी है । अमरीका और रूस के साथ भारत के संबंध न केवल मजबूत हुये हैं अपितु सामरिक सहयोग के नये क्षेत्रों में शामिल हुये हैं । काफी गुणात्मक परिवर्तन हुये हैं । गुट निरपेक्ष आंदोलन के संस्थापक सदस्य के रूप में भारत अपने विचारों और सिद्धांतों के प्रति प्रतिबद्ध है । हमारी विदेश नीति का उद्देश्य एवं सिद्धांत राष्ट्रीय हितों की पूर्ति करता है । स्वतंत्रता प्राप्ति के पश्चात् से अब तक भारत की विदेश नीति के कारण काफी उपलब्धियां रही हैं । आज भी भारत के प्रथम प्रधानमंत्री पंडित जवाहर लाल नेहरू ने संविधान सभा में कहा था कि चाहे हम कोई भी नीति अपनायें, विदेश नीति के संचालन की कला इस बात में है कि देश के लिए सबसे अधिक लाभदायक क्या होगा। चाहे वह साम्राज्यवादी हो या समाजवादी हो । वर्ष 2010 में भारत आये संयुक्त् राष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद के पांचों स्थायी सदस्यों में शामिल संयुक्त् राज्य अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति बराक ओबामा, फ्रांस के राष्ट्रपति दमित्री मेदवेदव एवं चीन के प्रधानमंत्री बेन जियाबाओं भारत की यात्रा केवल एक वर्ष के अंदर की है इससे साबित होता है कि भारत विदेश नीति ने दुनिया ने भारत को भी उन संयुक्त् राष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद के सदस्यों के कतार में पहुंच गया है । आज अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति भारत में अमेरिकी लोगों के लिए रोजगार ढ़ूढ़ते हैं अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति ने भारत की बहुप्रतीक्षित भावनाओं के अनुरूप संयुक्त राष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद में भारत की सदस्यता के समर्थन की बात भारत की धरती पर करके गये । पाकिस्तान द्वारा प्रायोजित आतंकवाद के खिलाफ विश्व के अधिकतर देश में हमारे साथ खड़े हैं क्योंकि हमने इच्छाशक्ति के साथ कदम उठाये हैं । तिब्बत में चीन द्वारा सामरिक दृष्टिकोण से सड़कों, एयरस्ट्रीप, टनल आदि का निर्माण कर रहा है उसे भारत को नजरअंदाज नहीं करना चाहिए । भारत को भी अपने पड़ोसी देशों के साथ मैत्रीपूर्ण रिश्तों के रखते हुये सामरिक दृष्टि से सीमा पर सड़कों, हवाईअडडों आदि का निर्माण करना चाहिये । आज भी भारत की विदेश नीति से पूरी दुनिया में हमारा स्थान मजबूत हुआ है । इसी के साथ मैं वर्ष 2011-12 के विदेश मंत्रालय के प्रस्तुत बजट का समर्थन करता हूँ ।
*श्री वीरेन्द्र कुमार (टीकमगढ़):विदेश नीति के बारे में हमें देखना होगा कि पड़ोसी राष्ट्रों के साथ हमारे संबंध कैसे हैं अगर संबंध मधुर नहीं हैं तो उसके पीछे वह कौन सी ताकतें हैं जो ऐसा नहीं होने देना चाहते तथा उसके पीछे उनका क्या निहित स्वार्थ है कहीं वह हमको कमजोर करने के लिए तो उन्हें हथियार नहीं बना रही। चीन कभी अरूणांचल को विवादास्पद बनाता है तो कभी पाक अधिकृत कश्मीर में केन्द्र बनाने की तरफ बढ़ता है। हमारे देश की सीमाओं के नजदीक तक सड़क एवं रेल यातायात को बढ़ा रहा है भारत में चीन काफी निर्यात कर अपनी अर्थव्यवस्था को मजबूत कर रहा है। हमारे देश को बाजार के रूप में तो उपयोग करना चाहता है, किंतु राजनायिक संबंधों की दृष्टि से कूटनीतिक खेल खेलना चाहता है। नेपाल के रास्ते माओवाद को बढ़ावा दे रहा है हमें इन सारी चुनौतियों को समझकर रास्ता निकालना होगा। पाकिस्तान लगातार हमारी समस्याओं को अनदेखा कर रहा है। कई बार आतंकवादियों के प्रशिक्षण केन्द्रों के विरुद्ध कार्यवाही की मांग उठने के बाद भी पाकिस्तान यही कहता है हमारे यहां कोई केन्द्र नहीं चल रहे हैं जबकि मुम्बई ताज होटल की घटना ने सारी बातों को स्पष्ट कर दिया है।
पाकिस्तान के रास्ते बड़ी मात्रा मे फर्जी मुद्रा हमारे देश में आ रही है जिसके संबंध में समाचार पत्र बार-बार चेतावनी देते रहते हैं कि अगर इसको नहीं रोका गया तो यह हमारी अर्थव्यवस्था को काफी नुकसान पहुंचा सकती है। अतः सख्ती से इस दिशा में कदम उठाना चाहिए। पाकिस्तान का अभी तक हमारे देश के प्रति जो व्यवहार रहा है वह विश्वसनीय नहीं कहा जा सकता। अनेकों बार हमारे देश पर आक्रमण करने के बाद भी अपनी हरकतों से बाज नहीं आता। उधर बांग्लादेश से हो रही लगातार घुसपैठ भी हमारी समूची अर्थव्यवस्था को गंभीर रूप से प्रभावित कर रही है जनसंख्या का बढ़ता बोझ देश के संसाधनों पर तो बोझ बढ़ाता ही है बल्कि लोगों का रोजगार भी छीनता है। अपराधों को बढ़ावा मिला है। अतः अनधिकृत रूप से घुसपैठियों की पहचान कर वापिस भेजने की दिशा में कदम उठाना चाहिए तथा सीमाओं पर चौकसी को और भी बढ़ाना चाहिए। नेपाल में राजशाही के अंत होने के उपरांत लोकतंत्र को बढ़ावा मिला है, किंतु सत्ता में पहुंचे लोगों के दिनों में भारत के प्रति मित्रता का जो भाव होना चाहिए वह नजर नहीं आ रहा है, बल्कि वहां बढ़ती हुई माओवादी हिंसा हमारे देश के लिए भी चिंता का विषय है इसके प्रति सजग रहने की आवश्यकता है।
अमरीका भारत से अच्छे संबंध तो बनाने की बात करता है किंतु अपरोक्ष रूप से हमारे विरोधियों को भी मदद करने में पीछे नहीं रहता है। लीबिया में जो कुछ भी घटित हो रहा है उसमें हमारे भारतीयों को सुरक्षित लाने में हमें सजगता से कदम उठाना चाहिए। हमें अपनी सुरक्षा व्यवस्था को मजबूत करने के लिए पड़ोसियों से अच्छे संबंध बनाने के साथ ही सुरक्षा परिषद् में स्थायी सदस्यता के लिए अपने प्रयासों को और बढ़ाना चाहिए तथा परिषद् के पाचों स्थायी सदस्यता वाले राष्ट्रों से इस संबंध में पहल करना चाहिए। आस्ट्रेलिया में पढ़ने वाले छात्रों को संरक्षण दिलाने की भी गंभीरता से कोशिश की जानी चाहिए।
*श्री जगदानंद सिंह (बक्सर): विदेश नीति, राष्ट्रीय अस्मिता की रक्षा का सबसे भरोसेमंद विषय है। यह भरोसा तभी पैदा होगा जब भौगोलिक दृष्टि से देश निश्चिन्त रहेगा। पड़ोसी देशों के साथ देश का संबंध आज ऐतिहासिक गिरावट पर है। भारत-चीन की वैश्विक प्रतियोगिता ईर्ष्या एवं द्वेष में बदल गया है।
भारत-चीनी भाई-भाई का नारा तो वर्षों पूर्व ध्वस्त हो चुका है। भारत के बड़े भू-भाग पर कब्जा जमाने वाले राष्ट्र के प्रति सरकार की नीति स्पष्ट नहीं है। कश्मीर तथा अरूणाचल के बड़े भूभाग पर अपना दावा ठोककर देश को चुनौती दे रहा है। जहां इन बातों से बेचैनी होनी चाहिए वहीं कागजाती एतराज के सिवाय कोई भी ठोस प्रतिक्रिया नहीं दिखती है।
तिब्बत चीन का अंग हो चुका है जहां देश के जल भंडार के उद्गम स्थान हैं। पानी को रोकना-रास्ता बदलने का प्रयास हमारी आंखों के सामने है। ब्रह्मपुत्र का पानी हमारी भविष्य की आवश्यकता की गारंटी है। पानी ही नहीं होगा तो नदियों के जोड़ तथा आवश्यक स्थान पर पानी ले जाने की कल्पना ही व्यर्थ होगी। चीन द्वारा सीमा पर खतरा एवं पानी के रोक तथा पड़ोसी देशों को उकसाना देश के सम्मान पर खतरा है।
नेपाल आदिकाल से हमारा पड़ोसी तथा हमारी सीमा की हिफाजत की गारंटी रहा है। मगर उसे भी भड़काया जा रहा है। उत्तरी सीमा पर नेपाल के रास्ते से चीन की हलचल राष्ट्र की बेचैनी का कारण है।
सागर की सीमाएं भी श्रीलंका के कारण विवाद का विषय बनता जा रहा है। गरीब मछुआरों की गिरफ्तारी तथा गोली मार देने की हरकत राष्ट्र के बेचैनी का कारण बन गया है।
म्यांमार के साथ आज भी संबंध भाईचारे का नहीं बन पाया। बांग्लादेश-म्यांमार कभी इस राष्ट्र के हिस्से थे। भौगोलिक दृष्टि से हमारे पड़ोसी दोनों राष्ट्र सामरिक एवं व्यापार की दृष्टि से महत्वपूर्ण हैं।
किसी भी देश की विदेश नीति सरकारों के बदलने से नीति में बदलाव नहीं होता। विदेशी नीति का संबंध पड़ोसी के रूख पर भी निर्भर करता है और सच यही है कि दुनिया में इच्छानुसार बहुत कुछ बदलने की सुविधा होती है मगर राष्ट्र के पड़ोसी सर्वकालीन ग्राहय होते हैं। इसलिए पड़ोसियों से संबंध को ठीक करने की आवश्यकता है।
आज विश्व कई धुरियों पर खड़ा नहीं है। शीत युद्ध समाप्त हो चुका है। रूस टूट चुका है मगर आज भी एक शक्तिशाली तथा मित्र राष्ट्र है। भारत और रूस की प्रगाढ़ मैत्री भारत के अस्तित्व की धरोहर है। हर संकट में दोनों की मित्रता कायम रही है तथा दुनिया की स्थिरता के लिए हर समय सही साबित हुआ है। अमेरिका से बढ़ता व्यापार तथा अन्य क्षेत्रों में बढ़ती दोस्ती रूस से दोस्ती की कीमत पर नहीं होना चाहिए। अमेरिका हमारे लिए आवश्यक है मगर संबंधों का एकतरफा होना राष्ट्र के लिए भविष्य में महंगा साबित नहीं होना चाहिए।
पाकिस्तान से मित्रता आवश्यक है मगर यह भी सत्य है कि दुनिया के वे राष्ट्र जो हमसे अप्रसन्न रहते हैं उनके चाहत का हिस्सा है कि भारत-पाकिस्तान दोस्त न बन सके मगर हमारी सहनशीलता तथा कूटनीति ऐसी हो कि दोनों की दूरी घटे तथा अच्छे पड़ोसी की हैसियत से दोनों राष्ट्र सुखी-सम्पन्न भविष्य का निर्माण कर सके।
पूर्वी एशिया के राष्ट्रों से भारत की नजदीकी है तथा रहना भी चाहिए। राजनैतिक एवं व्यापारिक दृष्टि से तथा हमारे व्यापार के लिए भी यह संबंध आवश्यक है।
गुटनिरपेक्ष कभी का भारत आज भी किसी गुट का सदस्य नहीं हो सकता है वह भी तब जब अमरीका के वर्चस्व के आगे इस तरह की संभावना भी नहीं है मगर अपने हित और अहित की समझ के साथ दुनिया के देशों के साथ संबंध को आगे बढ़ाना होगा।
राष्ट्र की सीमाएं शान्त रहे, सुरक्षित रहे तथा दुनिया के व्यापार में हमारी हिस्सेदारी हो तथा रूकावट की संभावना नहीं बल्कि विस्तार के सतत प्रयास जारी रहे। राष्ट्र की रक्षा एवं सम्मान की कीमत पर सरकार को कोई समझौता नहीं करना चाहिए।
अन्त में, मित्र राष्ट्र जापान में प्राकृतिक दुर्घटना से हुए जनजीवन तथा सम्पदा की हानि पर अपनी संवेदना प्रकट करता हूं तथा आशा करता हूं कि हमारे देश की तरफ से हर तरह की सहायता पहुंचाने का प्रयास किया जाएगा जैसा कि प्रधानमंत्री जी ने सदन को आश्वस्त किया है।
अनुदान की मांग का समर्थन करते हुए पुनः धन्यवाद के साथ बात समाप्त करता हूं।
SHRI PRABODH PANDA (MIDNAPORE): Madam Chairman, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.
Madam, the subject is vast –External Affairs. It is not only time is less but also the funding in this Department is very meagre. So, before touching other points, first of all, I would like to say here that the vacancies should be filled as soon as possible.
The Passport Office should be decentralised. In every district, there should be a Passport Office so that, very easily, people can get the passport without delay.
Another important recommendation made by the Standing Committee is that the CVC Report should be seriously considered from security point of view before awarding the contract to the selected company for supplying the chips for e-passports. This is a very important matter and hence it should be looked into.
We are discussing this subject in the backdrop of the massive evacuation of Indians from the strife-torn Libya, from the clutches of the Somali pirates who held the ship hostage. Now, the horrendous earthquake devastated Japan and that issue is also there. I think the Government will stand up to the occasion, the Ministry will stand up to the occasion and take adequate measures and steps to save the Indians. I think our Government will have a positive attitude towards the countries concerned, particularly Japan. The Government of India should contribute as much as it can in this regard.
We are discussing broadly the foreign policy of the country. The foreign policy encompasses safeguarding the national security as well as tackling the global changes that are taking place such as international terrorism, climate change, energy security and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
First, let me say about our attitude to the neighbouring countries. I broadly welcome and support the attitude of our Government so far as the neighbouring countries are concerned. In regard to the peaceful steps towards ensuring a peaceful, secure and stable neighbourhood, India remains committed in its support and assistance to Bhutan for its development. It is keeping a unique relationship with Nepal with a view to support and strengthen the multi-party democracy. Already, the hon. Member Shri Sharad Yadav touched the point. I think the Government will take necessary steps in this regard. It is a very welcome development which is taking place in Nepal. We should express our positive attitude and help them so as to strengthen the multi-party system in Nepal. Our dialogue at various levels with Bangladesh, our assistance to Sri Lanka for the settlement and rehabilitation of the displaced people, the relationship with Afghanistan through regular dialogue are all essential. India remains committed to solving all the outstanding issues through bilateral dialogue.
In the case of the SAARC countries, the Indian support and substantial contribution to transform the SAARC countries into a meaningful vehicle and its role in the regional cooperation is very much appreciable.
About the relationship with China, I welcome the Government’s effort in resuming the dialogue. Whatever may be the situation, there is no alternative but for dialogue. As they have resumed the dialogue, I think, whatever may be the issues like cross-border terrorism or border issues, everything can be settled only through the dialogue process. If such a question comes in the case of Bangladesh or Pakistan, dialogue is the only method.
So far as Bangladesh is concerned, the transfer of that enclave is a very important issue. I think everything should be done through dialogue. So, I welcome it.
I think the relationship with China is very positive. Both the countries, India and China, have demonstrated cooperation in the Regional and Multilateral Forums on global issues like climate change and the global financial situation.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Now, please conclude.
SHRI PRABODH PANDA : Madam, I am coming to the next point now. Let me complete it. I am not making a speech.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: I know. That is why, I am saying it. Please conclude now.
SHRI PRABODH PANDA : But some negative aspects are there. I do not agree with the speakers who think that the world is moving towards a unipolar system. But I agree that after the disaster of the Soviet Union, there was an attempt by the United States of America to transform the world situation according to their own design and that is the unipolar world. But several power centres are coming up now like the SAARC countries, the European Union, Shanghai cooperation countries etc. Japan is now suffering from the disaster. Now a new situation is emerging and that is the multipolar world.
In this context, our Government should stand boldly and they should not dilute the Non-Aligned Movement. It is already compromised to some extent. It is already diluted. It is not proper for us to succumb to the pressure of the United States of America or move according to the diktats of USA. What is going on in the case of Iran? We have voted against Iran under the diktats of USA. What is our attitude towards Iran? What is our attitude towards Palestine? What is our attitude towards the Arab countries? It is a matter of great concern that USA has declared some countries as rogue countries and they are mostly Islamic countries. So, what is our response to that? What is our attitude towards the democratic movement in Myanmar? All these points should be clarified by the hon. Minister.
Madam, whatever may be the designs of USA, democratization is taking place and multipolar system is emerging before us. The peoples in France, Spain, UK, Arab world and Libya are moving towards democratization; not only that, most of the Latin American countries are also going in that direction. This is the situation. In this context, we believe that India should stand up boldly to this new situation and strengthen its Foreign Policy which is anti-imperialist in content and also we should strengthen NAM. With these words, I conclude.
डॉ. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह (वैशाली):महोदया, हिन्दुस्तान दुनिया छठा हिस्सा, सबसे बड़ा लोकतंत्र, इस तरह की विदेश नीति हमारी होनी चाहिए, हम लोग नॉन-एलाइनमेंट पॉलिसी के, हिन्दुस्तान को चाहिए दुनिया के अंदर नेतागिरी करे। हमारी जो नॉन-एलाइनमेंट पॉलिसी है, उसमें कहीं कोई कंप्रोमाइज की गुंजाइश नहीं है। अब मैं बहुत संक्षेप में केवल सवाल पूछता हूं।
मेरा पहला सवाल यह है कि ओबामा साहब सेंट्रल हॉल में आकर भाषण कर गए, हम लोगों ने खूब तालियां बजा दी। यूएनओ में सिक्योरिटी काउंसिल की हमारी स्थायी सदस्यता का क्या हुआ? वह यहां आकर केवल अपने लोगों के लिए रोजी-रोटी लेकर चले गए, लेकिन हमें यूएन सिक्योरिटी काउंसिल में सिक्योरिटी मेंबरशिप देने का क्या हुआ? मैं जानना चाहता हूं।
महोदया, मेरा दूसरा सवाल यह है कि यूएनओ में हिन्दी को अधिकारिक भाषा बनाने की जो बात है, उसके लिए दुनिया के कितने मुल्कों के समर्थन की जरूरत है और उसमें कितना खर्च लगेगा? मैं जानना चाहता हूं कि खर्चे की कमी है या वोट और समर्थन की कमी है? स्पेनिश भाषा, अरबी भाषा, जापानी भाषा, दुनिया में जनसंख्या के हिसाब से चीन की मंडारिन भाषा नम्बर एक पर है और हिन्दी नम्बर दो पर है।
यूएनओ में हिन्दी भी आधिकारिक भाषा बने, सरकार बताए कि इसके लिए क्या वोट की कमी है या खर्चे की कमी है? यह हम बहुत केटेगोरिकली जानना चाहते हैं। अभी सुना है कि दुनिया भर में प्रसिद्ध बीबीसी की हिन्दी समाचार सेवा बंद होने जा रही है। बीबीसी और उसकी हिन्दी समाचार सेवा विश्वसनीय समाचार एजेंसी है। गांव के लोग तक कहते हैं कि बीबीसी सुनकर सही बात सहजता से पता चल जाती है। अगर बीबीसी से हिन्दी समाचार सेवा खत्म होने जा रही है, तो क्या इसके लिए खर्चे की कोई समस्या है, अगर है तो विदेश मंत्री जी बताएं कि कितने पैसे की आवश्यकता होगी? इसके अलावा मैं यह भी जानना चाहता हूं कि क्या यह बात सरकार के संज्ञान में है या नहीं और सरकार इस सम्बन्ध में क्या करने वाली है?
यहां पर कई माननीय सदस्यों ने चीन के बारे में बात कही। चीन के एक प्रमुख पत्र में छपा है कि हिन्दुस्तान पर हमला होगा और चीन ने इसके लिए तैयारी कर ली है। हम सब जानते हैं कि चीन हमारे देश की सीमा तक रेल लाइन बिछा रहा है और सड़कों का निर्माण कर रहा है। हिन्दी-चीनी भाई-भाई का नारा जो बहुत पहले लगाया गया था, आज प्रासंगिक नहीं है। अगर चीन हमारे देश पर हमला करता है तो क्या हमारी पूरी तैयारी है या नहीं और क्या हम किसी और देश के भरोसे रहेंगे? आप अगर यह सोचते हैं कि अमेरिका आपका साथ देगा, तो यह वास्तविकता नहीं है। आपको खुद को इतना तैयार होना पड़ेगा कि आप उसका मुकाबला कर सकें। हिन्दुस्तान विश्व का सबसे बड़ा लोकतांत्रिक देश है। आज चीन के सामान से भारतीय बाजार भरे पड़े हैं। हमारे देश में चीनी सामान बेचा जा रहा है, लेकिन सरकार द्वारा इस पर ध्यान नहीं दिया जा रहा है। अगर हम यह समझें कि चीन हमें अपना बड़ा बाजार समझता है और हमला नहीं करेगा, तो यह हमारी भूल होगी। हमारे देश की सीमाओं पर जो चीन द्वारा गड़बड़ी हो रही है, उसकी तरफ भी ध्यान देने की जरूरत है।
तिब्बत हमारे देश की सीमा से लगा हुआ है। हमने पहले तो उसे समर्थन दिया, फिर कह दिया कि तिब्बत चीन का हिस्सा है। यह जो हमसे भूल हुई है, उसे सुधारने और पुनर्विचार करने की जरूरत है। आज चीन सिक्किम पर और अरुणाचल प्रदेश पर अपना हिस्सा होने की बात कह रहा है। हमें भी चाहिए कि हम भी तिब्बत के सवाल को उठाएं। तिब्बत के धार्मिक गुरु दलाई लामा वर्षों से यहां रह रहे हैं। वह अब कह रहे हैं कि मैं पॉलिटिक्स छोड़ दूंगा। तिब्बत का अपना कल्चर है, अपनी सभ्यता है, जो कि आज बर्बादी के कगार पर है। हमें दुनिया के सामने यह सवाल उठाना चाहिए और अपनी नीति पर पुनर्विचार करना चाहिए। हमें मानना चाहिए कि तिब्बत कभी चीन का हिस्सा नहीं था। हमारे पुरखों ने जो भूल की है उसे सुधारने के लिए आपको अपनी विदेश नीति में बदलाव करना चाहिए। आज भारत भी विश्व में एक ताकतवर देश है। भारत सबसे बड़ा लोकतांत्रिक देश है और यहां नौ प्रतिशत की जीडीपी है। लेकिन विदेश नीति के मामले में हम पीछे है। जैसा दूसरे देश कहते हैं, हम उनके पीछे चल पड़ते हैं। अभी हम सुनते हैं कि म्यांमार में चीन, नेपाल में चीन, बांग्लादेश में चीन अपनी पैठ बना रहा है। इन सब पर हमारे देश की क्या नीति है, हमारी क्या कूटनीति है? आज चीन पसर रहा है और हम सिकुड़ रहे हैं। क्या कमी है, हमें कहां दिक्कत है, कहां हमारी त्रुटि है, इस पर सरकार को जवाब देना चाहिए।
सोमालिया के बारे में भी यहां चर्चा हुई। सोमालिया के समुद्री दस्युओं द्वारा हमारे लोगों और हमारे जहाजों के अपहरण की खबरें आती रहती हैं। हम केवल गिड़गिड़ाते रहते हैं, कोई ठोस कदम नहीं उठा पाते हैं। यह अपहरण का काम आज से नहीं, बरसों पहले से चल रहा है। हमें चाहिए कि सोमालिया के दस्युओं द्वारा जो हमारी नौकाएं, जहाज और लोग पकड़े जाते हैं, उसके खिलाफ कठोर कदम उठाएं। हमें अपने जहाजों और लोगों के प्रोटेक्शन के लिए कोई कूटनीतिक उपाय करने चाहिए और यूएनओ तथा सिक्योरिटी कौंसिल में जोर-शोर से इस मुद्दे को उठाना चाहिए।
अमेरिका में क्या हुआ, वहां की यूनिवर्सिटी में हमारे बच्चों ने दाखिला ले लिया। बाद में पता चला कि वह यूनिवर्सिटी जाली है, तो वहां की सरकार ने हमारे बच्चों के पावों में रेडियो कॉलर बांध दिए। हमारे बच्चे गलती से फंस गए, इसमें उनका क्या कसूर है। अमेरिकी हुकूमत से हमें कड़े शब्दों में इस बात की निंदा करनी चाहिए। यहां से छात्र विज्ञान, टेक्नोलॉजी की शिक्षा के लिए अमेरिका आदि देशों में पढ़ने जाते हैं, लेकिन अगर वह यूनिवर्सिटी जाली निकले तो हमारे बच्चों के पांवों में रेडियो कॉलर क्यों लगाए गए, इसका भी जवाब सरकार को देना चाहिए।
उसके लिए क्या है हम विशेष रूप से उसके बारे में जानना चाहते हैं? कभी हमारे मछुआरे गिरफ्तार हो जाते हैं और अभी वे जेल में हैं। सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने कहा है कि पाकिस्तान के हाई-कमिश्नर से कहिये कि हमारे लोग बिना किसी मामले के वहां बंद हैं। कोर्ट के लिए कहते हैं ज्यूडिशियल एक्टिविज्म, एक्टिविज्म, कोर्ट क्या करेगा? यह जानकारी सरकार को क्यों नहीं है कि हमारे कितने मछुआरे विदेशों की जेलों में बंद हैं? सरकार बेखबर है, उसे खबर क्यों नहीं है? अभी सुप्रीम कोर्ट का फैसला है कि हाई-कमिश्नर को कहा जाए।
अंत में मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि हमारी सरकार ने लोकतंत्र के लिए क्या किया? बर्मा में जेल में ऐन-सेंग-सू-ची थी, वहां लोकतंत्र के लिए हमने क्या किया? चीन में जेसमीन मूवमेंट, लीबिया में, इजिप्ट में लोकतंत्र की हवा बह रही है, उनके लिए आपने क्या किया?
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Nothing will go on record now.
(Interruptions) … * सभापति महोदया : रघुवंश बाबू, आपकी बात रिकार्ड में नहीं जा रही है, आप इतना जोर से क्यों बोल रहे हैं। शेर सिंह जी बोल रहे हैं, आप बैठ जाइये।
...( व्यवधान)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) … * SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA (FEROZPUR): I thank you, Madam Chairperson for giving me the opportunity to speak on the Demands for Grants under the control of Ministry of External Affairs for the year 2011-12…. (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER: Nothing is going on the record.
(Interruptions) … * SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA : Madam, today we are discussing an important subject in this august House. … (Interruptions)
Madam, the foreign policy of a country reflects the internal strength of a country. The countries which work hard towards having a sound foreign policy ultimately win in the race for development. There are various aspects of foreign policy that need to be streamlined and strengthened. We must have cordial and friendly relations with all countries. Moreover, there is a large Indian diaspora in various foreign countries. The Government must safeguard their interests and take up their problems with the respective countries. We must rise up to the challenges posed by the rapidly changing geo-political scenario in the world.
Madam, several Hon’ble members have done the post-mortem of our foreign policy and have rightly come to the conclusion that our foreign policy has failed to deliver. It has been a fiasco and a flop-show. We do not have friendly relations with any of our neighbours. In fact, several countries in our vicinity are pursuing policies that are detrimental to our interests. For instance, our relations with China are tense. We have given Tibet to China on a platter. Nepal has an unfriendly Government. The Maoists in Nepal are very friendly towards China. Pakistan is another cause of concern. The scenario in our immediate neighbourhood is not rosy. We must chalk out country-specific foreign policy. Only then can we protect our interests and take India towards development. The present foreign policy being followed by the Central Government has got derailed. It must be brought back on track.
Madam, lakhs of people of Indian origin are residing in various foreign countries. I am happy to note that the Indian diaspora in these countries is thriving and flourishing. Indians are very hard-working by nature. That is why they have become successful in their ventures in different foreign countries. However, our foreign policy has nothing to do with their successes. The passport and visa system in this country is very time-taking and full of red-tapism. People have to run from pillar to post and more than two to three months are wasted in the process. Many a times, getting a visa takes six months to a year. This ordeal must end. The entire system needs to be streamlined and made hassle-free.
Madam, a large number of Indians (including Sikhs and Punjabis), travel to various foreign countries like Canada, U.S.A., U.K., Australia etc. for pursuing higher studies or for other purposes. However, criminals and racist elements often target these Indians. They are beaten up, raped and brutally murdered over there. Despite these horrific incidents, the External Affairs Ministry fails to take up these issues with the concerned Governments in a strong manner. We often claim that India is a great country. It is an emerging power. It has a large army and it has nuclear weapons in its arsenal. However, we often act like a soft state. We fail to put a premium on the lives of Indians residing in foreign countries.
Madam, our students are harassed and killed in Australia. Our fishermen are often kidnapped and imprisoned by security forces of Pakistan and Sri Lanka with impunity. However, the Central Government fails to talk tough with the concerned Governments. If Indians continue to be targeted like this in foreign countries, a fear-psychosis will grip our people. In such a scenario, the Indians may stop travelling to these countries altogether. It will not be in the interest of our country.
Madam Chairperson, about 150 people of Indian origin were allowed to travel back to India by our embassy situated there. However, on their arrival in India, they were told that there were irregularities in their visa. And then, all of them were deported. Is this the way things should function? The current visa-granting policy of the Government leaves much to be desired.
MADAM SPEAKER: Please conclude.
SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA : Madam Chairperson, a lot of money is spent by the Central Government on holding ‘India Festivals’ and showcasing Indian culture abroad. However, the rich and vibrant culture of Punjab often takes a back seat in these ‘India Festivals’.
Madam, a large number of Sikhs residing in foreign countries have been blacklisted by the Government. Many of them want to return back to Punjab but the Government doesn’t allow them to do so. What is their fault? They must be allowed to return back to their homeland. When will the Government delete their names from the black-list?
During operation Blue-Star in Punjab in 1984, hundreds of Sikhs had to flee India to avoid repression. They took asylum in France, Holland, Denmark and other European countries. They are Indian nationals. They want to come back to Punjab. However, the Government has persistently refused them entry into India. This is sheer injustice that is being perpetrated on these hapless people. They must be allowed to return back to their homes in Punjab.
Madam, I thank the Government for introducing a Bus Service for Sikh pilgrims to travel to Shri Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, similarly, the Government should allow the farmers in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to sell their surplus foodgrains to neighbouring countries like Afghanistan, Iran & Iraq via Pakistan. Special trains should be started for this purpose. This will give a boost to our trade with these countries and the coffers of India will also gain in this process. The borders at Wagah, Ferozepur, Hussainiwala and Fazilka can be opened for trade with Pakistan. This business opportunity will give rich dividends to India.
MADAM SPEAKER: Please conclude.
SHRI SHER SINGH GHUBAYA : Madam, due to the recent turmoil and civil-war in Libya, about 18,000 Indians were stuck up there. There were 9000 Punjabis among them. There was a grave threat to their lives. The Government has tried to help them and bring them back home. However, much needs to be done yet. These people have been rescued but they have not been provided with any help here. These people have suffered in Libya. The Government must provide financial assistance to them for their rehabilitation.
Madam Chairperson, we claim that India is a great country. However, it is not reflected in our foreign policy. It must be strengthened. We must have a vision. We must take corrective measures. We must bring our derailed foreign policy back on track. Only then can the country prosper.
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DR. MIRZA MEHBOOB BEG (ANANTNAG): Madam Chairperson, I join my colleagues in expressing our sympathy to the people of Japan, who have suffered and who are suffering a lot.
What the hon. Members have expressed, I join them because what we mean is that in present day time, when the entire Arab world is undergoing crises, every Member feels and wants that –perhaps not that we are not doing, we are doing well – we should do extremely well, we should play a proactive role. For example, if we talk about Libya, there are many countries including France, Britain and Germany who have taken a leading role. France has even recognized the rebel Government. Likewise, Britain is pressing for no fly zone and Germany has frozen assets worth billions. So, what we mean is that we should play a very proactive role when the entire undemocratic world, in particular is undergoing crises.
Madam, I want to make a few suggestions to the hon. Minister of External Affairs and those suggestions are related to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In our relationship with Pakistan, our State, the State of Jammu and Kashmir and Kashmir, in particular suffers the most. As we have realized and as we have been doing all along, there is no substitute to dialogue. We have to talk to Pakistan. Once we stop doing that, Jammu and Kashmir and the people of Jammu and Kashmir would suffer the most.
Mr. Minister, I want to bring to your notice a few things. The hon. Prime Minister opened up very important routes, which link us to the entire world. Like Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, like Poonch-Rawalakot road, we were expecting that Jammu-Sialkot road, Kargil-Skardu road will be opened up. But the problem is that a very few people can avail of this very important opportunity. Visa procedures are so complicated. The trade items, which could have taken place; the trade and business, which could have taken place between our part of Kashmir and the part of Kashmir, which is under Pakistan’s control is not happening. It has become very symbolic. We would be grateful if you could have a look at it so that our trade and business, which used to flourish before 1947, would do the same. I need not tell you because after 1947, all our routes to the rest of the world got chocked. So, this is all the more important that the initiatives, which were taken by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, are continued. When he was in power, he started negotiations with Pakistan. That was the time when we had seen a very quiet and peaceful Kashmir because the people of Jammu and Kashmir felt that the negotiations are on and negotiations are taking place with Pakistan.
So, we had a very peaceful period in Kashmir. We hope that negotiation will continue. Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, if I am not wrong, had engaged General Musharraf in very serious talks and people of Jammu and Kashmir had a peaceful period, as was expressed by Shri Jaswant Singh also. But Jammu and Kashmir issue has to be addressed and it has to be resolved. It was during Vajpayee Ji’s time that he had almost clinched the issue with General Musharraf. We wish that you would continue and take that movement forward. That is important for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Our Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir has already committed himself because when he visited Pakistan, there were some Kashmiri youths who met him. They wanted to return to Kashmir again and lead a very peaceful life. I wish and hope that you would help him in facilitating this process so that the Kashmiri youths, who had crossed over, who want to come back and lead a peaceful normal life in Kashmir, could return because that is very important.
My last point is that since our State being the only Muslim majority State, I wish that Haj quota could be increased because always every year there are complaints that more and more people want to perform the Haj. So if this quota is increased in case of Jammu and Kashmir, it would be a great service.
I am just concluding. While I was coming to this House today, a young Captain, Shajad Wani met me. He is a Captain. He is flying King Fisher. He told me that his parents are entitled to fly abroad and he can take them abroad because he is entitled to it as a Captain. His parents were given passport just for one year and now their passport date is not getting extended. It is not only this but there are thousands and thousands of cases, especially of Kashmiris. Their cases are pending before you and their passports, which is their fundamental right, are not being granted to them. I would request you that all these pending passport cases may be expedited so that people of Jammu and Kashmir also visit rest of the world.
SHRI ANTO ANTONY (PATHANAMATHITTA): Madam, thank you for giving me an opportunity to stand here in this esteemed august House.
I stand here to support the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs. India’s image of the world order was fashioned by the Gandhian and the Nehruvian legacies. Indian foreign policy grew from our sense of civilization and extraordinary contribution by Mahatma Gandhi and also Nehru Ji’s articulation of our civilization and heritage.
I appreciate Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Ji’s diplomacy, which respects and follows the Nehruvian legacy. It is about to ensure a permanent berth in the Security Council for India to underline its emerging role in the world.
I thankfully acknowledge the great efforts to ensure voting rights for the Pravasis by the hon. Ministers, Shri S.M. Krishna and Shri Vayalar Ravi.
Being the representative of a Lok Sabha constituency, which has the largest number of NRIs in the country, I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the Government in this regard. Conferring voting rights to the NRIs will help them to be in the mainstream of the Indian society. I take this opportunity to request the Government to allow the NRIs to cast their franchise in our embassies abroad. Voting through internet medium is possible in this technologically advanced era. If the NRIs are allowed to cast their franchise through our embassies abroad, then only the aim of voting rights to NRIs will realize in its actual sense. Therefore, I request the Government to take urgent steps in this regard.
The mammoth operation of evacuating about 18,000 of its nationals from strife-torn Libya was perfectly completed by India, thanks to the wonderful efforts of hon. Minister of External Affairs, Shri S.M. Krishna and hon. Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Vayalar Ravi.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is also in discussion with the Ministry of Human Resource Development and various State Governments to facilitate the school and college education of children of Indian families who have been recently evacuated from Libya and even helping the children to get admission in schools and colleges in various States in India. Various Ministries are perfectly addressing the daily concerns and diplomatic exigencies.
I salute the political visionaries for this wonderful coordination. However, Indian Embassies are yet to come in tune with the Indian achievements back home. We have to immediately institute a Grievances Redressal Cell in the Ministry itself. We should also take steps to ensure that complaints or grievances lodged by an Indian citizen anywhere in the world is properly addressed by the concerned officials appointed in various diplomatic missions. Efforts should be made to revamp the entire system by instilling professionalism and work ethics. A monitoring cell should be instituted at the MEA to streamline these grievances cell.
Many a time, our embassies abroad forget the fact that the primary function of any Indian Embassy is to serve the interest of the Indian Government and secondly to serve the interest of Indian citizens. Our citizens rely on these embassies to get answers to their queries, provide documents, passports, visas for their travels etc. But a majority of the Indian embassies miserably fail to address the needs of the Indian community, treating them as second rate citizens. But, this is not the case when a high official reaches abroad. They are treated to a red carpet welcome and they return home thinking that everything is functioning well.
I was in the USA in June 2010 as a part of a Parliamentary Delegation. I would like to share a headline news item published in the USA Today, one of the dailies in the USA in June 2010. A 16 year old girl was taken to the USA by an Indian diplomat to serve as his housemaid. She had to flee from his house following continuous harassment, 16 hours of daily work, inhuman working conditions and the barbaric behaviour of her master. She ended up with her traumatic experience in a New York police station.
Earlier I stated that I represent a constituency which has the largest NRI population in the country. There are a number of messages sent to me from all over the world mentioning about the functioning of our embassies. I would like to read out one or two of them. This is a message sent by Shri Rakesh Kumar from Toronto. It reads as:
“1. The consulate office administration is not organized; poor customer service; less attention towards people who are uneducated; no respect towards older citizens; never answer phone calls.
2. There is no internet and photocopy machines in the consulate office where general people can use them, causing inconvenience especially to the old people.” There is another message from Berlin sent by Ms. Kavita. It reads as:
“I am about to have a nervous breakdown, courtesy the Indian Embassy in Berlin. They are sitting on my passport for two months now. All the telephone numbers lead to answering machines that have exhausted their capacity and cannot record any message. The size of the passport photos demanded by the staff at the Embassy was mentioned nowhere on the Embassy website. After having sent them extra by post, the next excuse is that my passport is somewhere in India. I wonder if they understand my dilemma in a foreign country without a passport. Unfriendly, incompetent, ignorant and arrogant – that is how I would describe the staff there. Does anyone know where one could officially complain against this atrocity?” One more from Paris reads as under:
“Nobody knows when one can call Indian Embassy; nor is there any response from the Indian Embassy.” Likewise, there is one from Washington.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Please do not read out all these messages. Yes, we understand the problem.
SHRI ANTO ANTONY : A number of messages have come from all over the world. I request the Government to make sure that the services of our embassies are monitored in a proper way.
In Gulf countries 55 lakh Indians are working and a majority of them is from my State, Kerala. There are tens of thousands of people lying in a bridge. They are known as Hurub. They escaped from their original employers because of harassment. The Embassy should take care of them and take steps to bring them back to our country.
SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI (HYDERABAD): Thank you, Madam. I rise to support the Demand.
I will start with Pakistan. If we engage with Pakistan, then there is no guarantee that there will be success, but if we do not engage with Pakistan, then there is a guarantee that we will not get success. There are three reasons why India should favour a process of reconciliation. So long as hostility continues between India and Pakistan, there will always be a salience drawn between the Pakistani and Indian Muslims by communal elements in our country. Therefore, to ensure secularism in India -- which is the corner stone of our nationhood and which is the basic feature of our Constitution -- the sooner we bring down the hostilities between the two countries it would be good for the survival and for the assurance of secularism.
Secondly, we cannot deal unilaterally with the terrorists in Pakistan because the terrorist networks in India have a connection with terrorists in Pakistan, and to deal with those terrorist groups we just cannot rely on western pressure. It is because the terrorist groups in Pakistan are working against the western powers and are also anti-Pakistan. Of course, there are some elements in the Pakistani establishment who are supporting LeT, but it will be completely wrong on our part to equate all these rogue elements that the whole of Pakistan is supporting. Of course, there have been attacks on the Pakistani establishment. The Pakistani establishment has now come to realize that these are rogue elements and they have now come to realize that there is no difference between terrorism emanating from anywhere. It is a threat to both India and Pakistan, which the Pakistani establishment has now realized and that it threatens everyone equally. Therefore, the need of the hour is to move cautiously in a calibrated manner and work towards cooperation and collaboration with Pakistan in ending this menace of terrorism.
Thirdly, there is no way in which India can come up on the international stage until it resolves its issues with Pakistan. It is because countries like China will always play on India and Pakistan divide to deny us the place in the Security Council and to get our place in the comity of nations.
The fourth reason for us to resume dialogues is that we know that US is going to withdraw from Afghanistan. We need to stabilize our relations with Pakistan. I am sure that US will fail in Afghanistan despite all the proud and loud claims being made by everyone in Afghanistan. It is the Taliban, which is going to come back. To ensure that how we fight those people, we have to have good relations with Pakistan.
The three reasons why Pakistan now wants good relations with India are -- One is for democracy because they know that they cannot defeat India with military. They have to have good relations with India for the democracy to survive and prosper in Pakistan.
The second point is with regard to the in-differentiated nature of terrorism. I spoke to one Pakistani and he says that : “We have lost lives in Pakistan and you are losing lives in India”, and this Pakistani told me that when he goes to bed he does not realize whether he will lie in his bed or he will lie in his own grave. So, we will have to leverage this palpable Pakistani fear of terrorism to promote cooperation between the two countries through their agencies and through the judicial system to bring the joint threat of terrorism to an end.
There is a convergence of interest with the destruction and death of life in FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan because Pakistanis have now realized that they are fighting some one else’s war in spite of being in the forefront of the national interest. So, there is a convergence of interest between India and Pakistan to resume their comprehensive dialogues.
I would like to congratulate, through you, the Minister of External Affairs for taking a bold step to revive Foreign Secretary-level talks, but this will be an empty gesture unless this dialogue is approached in a constructive and result-
oriented manner. I propose two things for achieving this objective. One is to consolidate the dramatic outcomes of back-channel dialogue between Ambassador Mr. Sati Lamba and Mr. Tariq Aziz of Pakistan. This was outsourced to us by Mr. Khurshid Kasuri when I was there as a part of a delegation in January in Pakistan. The consolidations of these outcomes will facilitate a breakthrough visit by Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
In addition to consolidating the outcomes of this composite dialogue, India and Pakistan negotiators should be encouraged to have structural dialogue on outstanding issues in an uninterrupted manner so that the dialogue is insulated from ups and downs of daily relationship. We have to move forward come what may.
Nearly, 64 years have passed since partition took place. There are no people left in Pakistan who share their personal trauma of partition, and there are very few people left in India who share the trauma of partition. Pakistan now has realized that India has grown as a secular and strong nation whereas Pakistan is now faced with an inelectable necessity of recognizing pluralism of Islam. Hence, I feel that we should push for a new era in India-Pakistan relationship and not get mired in the past. I am pretty much sure that Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh realizes this, but at the same time I hope that he does not get stopped by his own elements.
19.00 hrs. The hawkish elements in his establishment do not stop him. We want the Prime Minister to take this nation forward, in fact, to take the whole South Asia forward to peace and prosperity.
I would like to quote what Pandit Nehru said when India got Independence. He said, “That India would look upon the world with care and friendly eyes”. I request the Government, through you, Madam, that we need to make a beginning with Pakistan.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Hon. Member, please wait a minute. There are still a few more Members to speak; maybe, four Members. If the House agrees, the time may be extended till the business before the House is completed.
SEVERAL HON. MEMBERS: Yes.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Hon. Member, please wind up within one minute.
SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI : Please give me some more time. On the question of India-Arab countries’ relationship, I am of the opinion that whether the Head of an Arab country is a dictator, despot, or whatever it is, I do not care, as long as my national interest is served. Let us not get caught in this so-called democratic, democracy promotion. If it is in our national interest, it should serve us because you have ten-lakh Indians who are working in the Gulf countries. If you talk democracy, what is happening in Libya now? Whether you call Gaddafi an animal or whatever, he might be an animal, but he is consolidating now. Nearly 18,000 Indians were airlifted, and I have to congratulate the Government for that. But what will happen? Let the Government take a definite stand on Bahrain. They should take a stand on Bahrain that they will not allow regime change why because what has happened in Myanmar is that because of our wrong policy, we have pushed them towards China.
Now, there is a saying in Arab countries that India’s policy with Arab countries is made in Tel Aviv and our policy on Iran is made in Washington. How is it that we are able to sign Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, when we cannot sign Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline? Our relations with Iran have become very mediocre. With Israel, this UPA Government has given in the last six years, US $ 20 million for Palestinian cause, but no one has spoken about the Palestinian cause. How is it that we have allowed Israel to encroach on Palestinian land? How is it that India cannot strongly condemn the blockade of Gaza for the last one-and-a-half years? How is it that you are giving US $ 20 million and you have signed a contract of air defence missile systems with Israel for US $ 1.9 million? What is the message you are giving? Are you standing for Israel who is crushing people day in, day out? Why do we not talk about democracy for the Palestinians over there?
Lastly, Madam, I come to China. In 2008, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went to China. He said, “Let us have a joint mechanism. Let us have an accord preventing the diversion of Brahmaputra River”. China disagreed. If China disagrees and everyone agrees that China is a threat to India, why do we not start or revive Establishment 22 in Dehradun? Why do we not play the Tibet card? Establishment 22 is there; let us play the Tibet card because if we follow the history of India, India was peaceful when Tibet was an independent country. Since Tibet became a part of China, China is threatening us. China is not only threatening us, but it is cooperating with Pakistan in giving material assistance, soft help in terms of technical advice from visiting Chinese scientists to Pakistan nuclear programme. According to the experts, the day is not far when China will be passing designs and materials for hydrogen weapons. My request to the Government is let us give Brahmos missiles to Vietnam. You mention Vietnam to Chinese, you will see their reaction. It is high time that India should give Brahmos missiles to Vietnam. Until and unless we see eye to eye with China, this all talk of trade of one billion is a skewed development because China is exporting 90 per cent to India, but what are exporting to China? It is high time the Government takes a stand and the Government must strongly say on this Palestinian issue. The passport office in Hyderabad is the highest earning passport office, but there are many vacancies over there. I request the Government to look into this.
*SHRI CHARLES DIAS (NOMINATED): Respected Chairperson, I am thankful for giving me an opportunity to express my views on the Demand for Grants under the control of the Ministry of External Affairs for 2011-12.
Our country follow healthy relationship with other countries especially with our neighbours. This policy has to be followed and we have to keep on developing more cordial relationship with our neighbouring countries.
Regarding the Indians working in Gulf countries, they have to maintain close contacts with our embassy in their respective places. It has been reported that both the embassy and the Indians work abroad find it difficult to get their problems redressed through our embassy because of lack of sufficient staff. This aspect has to be looked into in the light of the recent developments in Libya. I would request the hon’ble Minister to take necessary steps to post sufficient staff at our embassies in Gulf countries.
SHRI ARUNA KUMAR VUNDAVALLI (RAJAHMUNDRY): Many of my colleagues have already discussed about this matter. This is regarding the Tri Valley issue. This is a matter which I thought was over because in the first week of the Parliament Session, my colleague, Shri Rajagopal, has mentioned this. They are treating us like criminals. Most of the people who went from here to the Tri Valley University, San Francisco, are from lower middle-class and poor families.
They borrowed money and went there. Their parents are under the impression that these people are doing something there and they will earn in dollars and give rupees to us and we can happily live rest of our lives. Now some of these people are in jail. It is very unfortunate because notorious criminals are treated like this. They are having these radio tags to their ankles. Still about twenty students are having radio tags to their ankles. I do not understand this. The visa will be given by the Government of America. The Government of America has accepted that these people can be admitted in the Tri Valley University. That is why, these people got the visas and went there. If that University is a sham university, a bogus university, who is responsible for that? How can they make students responsible for that? It was mentioned by my colleagues Shri Nama Nageshwar Rao and Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad ji also said about this. But why is it taking so much time? I am not able to understand this. About 1500 students are there, out of which from my constituency, there are more than 100 students. Yesterday night, they called me at 12 O’ Clock night and were crying up to 2 O’ clock in the night. Both girls and boys were crying. They were saying, “please do something for us. We cannot come back. We have only one alternative to finish our lives or to live here like a worker. We are not able to do even that because of our ankles.” So, through this House, I want to request the hon. Minister about this. Even though he went out, I think he will be coming back.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Yes, he will be coming back. You carry on. You have made your point very well.
SHRI ARUNA KUMAR VUNDAVALLI : The American advocates formed an association and they wrote a letter to President Obama and I would like to read just one paragraph. It says:
“Just recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcements agents raided Tri-Valley University in Pleasanton California for issuing invalid form 120 visas to hundreds of international students. The US attorney’s office alleges the owner of Tri-Valley University in Pleasanton used the unaccredited school to charge foreigners millions of dollars in tuition fees and help them obtain student visas to stay in the United States. Yet despite the fact that these students are victims of fraud, ICE is treating them as co-conspirators in this massive crime.” This is not said by our students. This is a famous law firm in San Francisco. It further says:
“At the moment, many of those students who took Tri-Valley courses risk being deported if they are found to be in violation of the immigration status. This is despite the fact that they were issued valid US visas by the American Consular officials. It is highly unlikely that the majority of the students had any idea that they were enrolled in a sham university. Most of the students enrolled in the Tri-Valley University simply wanted to improve their prospects in life and ensure themselves a better future by doing so. Unfortunately, all these students are being treated as potential criminals despite having no intention of defrauding any rules of the United States Government.” Madam, I just wanted to request this House and through you the hon. Minster, who is not present, that this is a very serious matter which has to be taken up immediately. We cannot make our children, poor boys and girls cry there. It is very pathetic. I think the entire House is in support of this. I request the Government to immediately respond to this.
SHRI HASSAN KHAN (LADAKH): Madam, I do not want to repeat about any Government policy that has been touched. But I would like to specify some points regarding the developments in my region.
I rise to support the Demands for Grants of the External Affairs Ministry. I would like to point out some serious issues also. The activities and claims of China in Ladakh is increasing day by day. It is a fact that China and Pakistan have jointly stepped up their activities across the border on a massive scale. China is in illegal possession of 37,000 square kilometres of Indian territory in Aksai, Chin area and Pakistan has ceded 5,800 square kilometres of land to China in Honza area of Gilgil. Thus, at this time, China is in possession of 42,180 square kilometres of land of Jammu and Kashmir State.
They have not stopped their expansion policy and strategic connectivity and deployment to that extent only, and at present they are building railway line Gawadar Port in Balochistan through Aksai – Chin and Baltistan and Gilgit along our borders for which 10,000 Chinese Army men are at present working there as border workers. There are also reports that in Baltistan and Gilgit regions in China they have constructed 22 tunnels in the name of road and highways but our Defence expert believe that these tunnels can be used for storing missiles also.
China and Pakistan has made all weather proof roads and highways on their side along our border but on our side, all land routes remain blocked for more than six months in a year. China and Pakistan have also built airports near our borders and also in the rear with all capabilities. China and Pakistan are also engaged in construction of mega power projects in Gilgit and Baltistan. I need not elaborate full activities here but we must wake up and start all necessary measures starting from reliable connectivity and communication in our part of the border region.
At the end, I would like to tell a common feeling that India’s policy towards Iran is dictated by America, which is the most unfortunate change in our policy when Iran is the most friendly country of India.
*SHRIMATI BOTCHA JHANSI LAKSHMI (VIZIANAGARAM): Thank you for giving me an opportunity to express my views on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs, for 2011-12. It can be seen that the total budget for the Ministry is Rs.7,106 crores. This is an important Ministry in the Government of India as it plans India’s foreign policy with various countries across the world. It has been rightly said, we seek a global order in which India’s interests are assured, the autonomy of India’s decision making is safeguarded which helps India in rapid, sustained and inclusive socio-economic development of the country. I express my gratitude to the UPA Chairperson, Shrimati Sonia Gandhiji, hon. Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Minister of external Affairs, Shri S. M. Krishna garu for making Indian foreign policy a firm commitment to our core national values with dynamic adaptation to change in the international environment for peace and brotherhood. India's commitment to close and good neighbourly relations, with all our sub-continental neighbours is based on the fundamental principles of equality and mutual respect I also thank the Minister of External Affairs for maintaining close ties with the immediate neighbours and also to work with other SAARC member countries to transform it into an effective organization for regional integration.
On the green house gas emissions conference at Copenhagen, India has taken lead to reduce the carbon emissions. I thank the Minister for the same.
It is good to see convergence of interests on issues such as Doha Round of WTO negotiations, climate change, global financial crisis etc., between India and China.
Being a member of the Official Language Committee, I suggest to the Hon. Minister of External Affairs to implement Hindi in all our embassies abroad in letter and spirit. Not only that his Ministry should also strive to make Hindi as one of the universal languages. Hindi is a symbol of Indian culture.
A lot of foreign universities want to set up theircampuses in India. I welcome this step. This will expose our Indian students to the best education. Not only that our Indian students are also going abroad and studying there. But at the same time they are facing problems from anti social elements. Sometimes they are being killed, harassed and abused. The hon. Minister should take up these things with the U.S. Government, Australian Government. Parents of the students are taking loans andsending their children for higher studies abroad but these unfortunate things are happening. As a result they are not able to repay loans.
There are a lot of irrigation projects, power projects and thermal projects which need cooperation our neighbouring countries in the subcontinent. I am sure, the hon. Minister is taking these issues with the concerned countries.
Regarding nuclear power plants and after the nuclear crisis in Japan, 1 am sure, sthe hon. Minister is concerned about the proposed nuclear plants in India. He should ensure that no nuclear accident takes place. Unfortunately, if anything happens, the Government should assure the people that they are there to take care of the security.
Regarding visas and passport issue, the Ministry should make it more efficient and smooth. People are facing lot of problems in getting these things. There should be a time frame to issue these things.
NRIs who come to India for marriage purpose, should be registered. They promise visas for their wives, but after going back they deliberately avoid their wives. NRIs with malafide intention should be punished and recalled back to India and their marriages should be registered. In case of any default, they should be called back to India immediately.
Regarding Chinese dolls and other foreign countries dolls available in the Indian market are toxic. The Government should ensure that these dolls are not dumped in our country. Suitable action should be taken against violators.
I do hope the hon. Minister would take up India's cause for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.
I am sure, the Hon. Minister would take necessary steps to strengthen Non Aligned Movement, Commonwealth Countries, SAARC and would take necessary steps to propagate peace and brother among the comity of nations in the world. With these words, I support the Demand for Grants of this Ministry for 2011-12.
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID (THENI): I rise to support the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs. Our Government is exceedingly doing well in the sphere of external affairs. We have established very good relations with almost all countries.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : If you have written speech, why not lay it on the Table?
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID : Now, I would like to speak in Tamil. I have already given a notice requesting for the same.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: No, you can lay it on the Table your speech.
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID : I have already given a letter requesting for speaking in Tamil. … (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: No. Not now. I have given you only one minute. If you want to say something in one minute, say. Otherwise, conclude your speech. … (Interruptions)
श्री जे.एम.आरुन रशीद : तमिल में बोलने से हमारे यहां की प्रैस मद्रास में लिखेगी, क्योंकि यह बहुत खास बात है।
MADAM CHAIRMAN: You have not given any notice in this regard. You can speaking English well. I know that. … (Interruptions) You have not given notice. Please understand. If you want to speak, speak within one minute only.
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID : A lot of fishermen are fishing in and around Katchattheevu area, which formerly belonged to India. Now, there is an Antoniyar Church. Previously, a few thousand people used to go there. Now, the Government of Sri Lanka had restricted them to 2,500. Earlier, the festival used to go for three days, now, they have restricted it to one day. Sri Lankan Government used to issue 10,000 Visas, now they are giving only 2,500 Visas. Next year, they may reduce it to only 250 Visas.
I am bringing this sort of problem to the kind notice of the Minister of External Affairs. In Sri Lanka, there are about 300,000 Displaced Tamilian Families and I would request the hon. Minister to take much interest in this issue by sending External Affairs Secretary to Sri Lanka. While sending the Delegation, the Government should also send the MPs from Tamil Nadu to assist the Delegation in their activities.
Being a Muslim Member, I would like to say that quota given to every Member for Haj is very small. There are less than 30 Muslim Members in the House. I would request the hon. Minister to increase this quota to minimum 100 persons for every Member.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Shri Balkrishan Shukla.
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID : Madam, please allow me to lay the rest of my speech on the Table of the House.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: You can now give it to the hon. Minister but you cannot lay it on the Table of the House.
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID : I have not even completed it.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: You cannot have both, that is to make a speech as well as to lay a part of your speech. I am sorry.
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID : Madam, please allow me to lay it on the Table of the House.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: No, you cannot.
श्री बालकृण खांडेराव शुक्ला (वडोदरा):सभापति महोदया, विदेश मंत्रालय की अनुदान की मांगों के प्रस्ताव की चर्चा हेतु आपने मुझे बोलने का मौका दिया, इसके लिए मैं आपका आभारी हूं।
मुझसे पहले बोलने वाले सभी वक्ताओं के साथ सहमति रखते हुए मैं चन्द बिन्दुओं पर चर्चा करना चाहता हूं। जैसा कि आज के सभी प्रमुख अखबारों में एक बात आई है कि आस्ट्रेलिया में पढ़ती हुई एक भारतीय छात्रा, जिसके साथ दुकर्म किया गया और बाद में उसकी हत्या की गई। बड़े दुर्भाग्य की बात यह है कि यह छात्रा मेरे पड़ोस में, मेरे संसदीय क्षेत्र की है और तोाा ठक्कर, जिसके पिता श्री सुनील ठक्कर हमारे बड़े अच्छे दोस्त हैं। उसकी माता वााऩबेन ठक्कर, उसके भाई दिशांत ठक्कर, इन तीन-चार लोगों का एक छोटा सा परिवार था। मेरे मित्र श्री सुनील ठक्कर ने अपने बड़े सपने संजोकर लड़की को आस्ट्रेलिया पढ़नेके लिए भेजा था, अभी परसों उसकी हत्या हो गई है। मैं विदेश मंत्रीश्री का वडोदरावासियों की ओर से आभार व्यक्त करता हूं कि ...( व्यवधान) भारत सरकार इस विाय को लेकर काफी चिन्तित है और आस्ट्रेलिया सरकार से इस सम्बन्ध में बातचीत कर रही है। मैं उनसे विनती करता हूं कि इस विाय को इसके अंजाम तक पहुंचाया जाये, ताकि खूनी दरिंदे डेनियल को सख्त से सख्त सजा हो, ताकि आस्ट्रेलिया में रहने वाले सभी भारतीयों को हमारी विदेश नीति में विश्वास पैदा हो।
इसके साथ-साथ इसी सप्ताह 10 तारीख को भारत और पाकिस्तान की पश्चिम तटीय जल सीमा में गुजरात के सौराट्र के मांगरोल और ओखा की तीन नौकाओं को पाकिस्तान की मैरीन सिक्योरिटी एजेन्सियों द्वारा अपहरण किया गया और नौका में सवाल 18 मछुआरों को बन्धक बनाया गया। इसके एक दिन पहले ही पोरबन्दर में दो और वणाकबोरी में एक फिशिंग बोट का 8 खलासियों के साथ अपहरण किया गया था। ...( व्यवधान) मेरी एक छोटी सी बात और है।
जब यहां अमेरिकी राट्र प्रमुख आये थे, तब अमेरिका में हमारे ह्यूसटन काउंसलेट जनरल ऑफ इंडिया में जो कुछ भी गलत बातें चलती थीं, उसके अनुसंधान में किसी को पासपोर्ट अगर रिन्यू करना है तो सके लिए भी जो समय लगता था या किसी प्रकार से बातचीत नहीं हो पाती थी तो उसके लिए वहां के अमेरिका के हमारे अनिवासी भारतीयों ने तारीख 8.12.2010 को वहां धरना भी दिया था और इसके अनुसंधान में मैंने माननीय विदेश मंत्रीश्री से और पन्त प्रधान जी को एक खत भी लिखा था और कार्रवाई करने की विनती की थी, पर आज तक उसमें कुछ हुआ नहीं है।
हमारी आन्तरिक सुरक्षा की जो बात है...( व्यवधान) मेरे सिर्फ दो पाइंट्स हैं।
सभापति महोदया : उन्हें बाद में कर लेना, अभी नहीं। फिर कभी समय मिलेगा तो बताना।
श्री बालकृण खांडेराव शुक्ला (वडोदरा):मेरा सिर्फ एक पैराग्राफ है। सीमा पार की घुसपैठ और आतंकवाद के कारण हमारी विदेश नीति जो कमजोर हो रही है, अगर उसको सक्षम और प्रभावी बनाना है तो विदेशी अधिनियम उपबंधों के अन्तर्गत सभी अवैध प्रवासियों को निर्धापित समय मर्यादा में पहचान करने और उन्हें वापस भेजने के लिए तुरन्त कदम उठाये जायें और बंगलादेश सहित विभिन्न देशों के साथ अन्तर्राट्रीय सीमाओं पर पश्चिमी सीमा की तरह ऊंची बाड़ बना दी जाये। इसके साथ ही सभी सीमावर्ती राज्यों की सुरक्षा एवं टैक्नोलोजी इम्प्लीमेंटेशन की जो भी परियोजनाएं भारत सरकार के पास हैं, उन सभी को तुरन्त मंजूरी दी जाये।
…( व्यवधान)
ाभापति महोदया : Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) … * SHRI HAMDULLAH SAYEED (LAKSHADWEEP): Respected Madam, thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs for the year 2011-2012. When we talk of External Affairs, it deals with India’s foreign policy and India’s relationship with its neighbouring countries and other countries. The boundaries of our country have to be protected from external aggression and it is to be ensured that our sovereignty is not compromised at any cost. The Government of India is doing everything that it can to ensure that the sovereignty of the Government of India is protected and also to ensure that we have friendly and cordial relations with our neighbours. I would shorten my speech because of paucity of time.
The first aspect that I would like to take up is with regard to the United Nations Organisation. The United Nations Organisation stand for peace keeping, for development and for human rights.
Madam, India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council after a gap of 19 long years. It symbolises that the Government of the day is committed to have a good foreign policy and to have good foreign relations with other countries. India got 187 votes out of 190 which were polled for the United Nations Security Council non-permanent membership election. It has created a record of having the highest votes from all the five non-permanent members who have got elected. Amongst them, India has got the maximum number of votes. This symbolises that really the Government is doing enough. But there is no room for complacency and we should further enhance our relations with foreign countries. The heads of P-5 countries, namely, UK, US, China, France and Russia, have supported India’s permanent membership of Security Council. Therefore, I would also like to state that India is the largest contributor for peace-keeping.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Now this should be your last aspect.
SHRI HAMDULLAH SAYEED (LAKSHADWEEP): My second aspect is SAARC. India has represented in the 16th SAARC meeting which was held in Bhutan. It coincided with the 25th anniversary of SAARC. It is basically an association for regional cooperation for economic development, to combat terrorism and to ensure that there is a strong policy for climate change. But the Government of India has also ensured and categorically stated that it will not adhere to legally binding emissions.
I would like to congratulate the hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Minister of External Affairs for taking pro-active measures to evacuate the Indians from Libya and other Middle East countries. Around 16200 Indians were brought in a fortnight’s time from Egypt and 1200 nationals from Tunisia and other countries. Therefore, this is a commendable step that has been taken by MEA.
There have been Extradition Treaties and mutual legal agreements with other countries. With Malaysia, Azerbaijan and Indonesia, these instruments have already materialised. This would ensure that the persons who are sentenced they can be brought back to India.
With these words, I support the Demands for Grants relating to the Ministry of External Affairs.
श्री सानछुमा खुंगुर बैसीमुथियारी (कोकराझार): आदरणीय सभापति महोदया, आपने मुझे वर्ष 2011-12 के विदेश मंत्रालय की अनुदान की मांगों पर बोलने का अवसर दिया, उसके लिए मैं आपका आभार व्यक्त करता हूं। मैं संक्षेप में कुछ बातों को यहां रखना चाहता हूं। आप सभी लोगों को मालूम है कि चाइना गवर्नमेंट हमारी ब्रह्मपुत्र नदी, जिसको चाइना में सांगपो बोला जाता है, तिब्बत ऑटोनामस रीजन में भारी संख्या में मल्टी डैम प्रोजेक्ट बना रही है। वहां डैम बन रहे हैं। आज हिंदुस्तान की सरकार क्यों चुप है?
Madam, I would like to know from the Government of India what pro-active policy actions have been taken so far towards the very dangerous and very detrimental policy approach adopted by the Government of China against India. अगर उसमें भारत सरकार रूकावट नहीं ला पाएगी, तो हमारे असम का, उत्तर पूर्वांचल का, ब्रह्मपुत्र वैली का जो यूनिक सिविलाइजेशन है, जो सप्रति-सम्पदा यहां है, वह खत्म हो जाएगी। इसलिए मैं मांग करता हूं कि हिंदुस्तान सरकार की तरफ से जबरदस्त कदम उठाना ही चाहिए। चीन सरकार को कहना पड़ेगा कि ब्रह्मपुत्र नदी के ऊपर तमाम भारी संख्या में जो डैम प्रोजेक्ट बन रहे हैं, उन्हें अतिशीघ्र बंद करना चाहिए।
दूसरी बात, हमारा जो बोडोलैंड अंचल है, वह इंडो-भूटान बार्डरिंग एरियाज कवर करता है। लेकिन आज इंडो-भूटान बार्डरिंग एरियाज की हर एक दिशा में जो हालत है, वह बहुत डिप्लोरेबल है।
उस इंडो-भूटान बार्डर एरिया के विकास के लिए भारत सरकार के विदेश मंत्रालय ने क्या-क्या पॉलिसी अपनाई है, वह हमें बताना चाहिए।
आज तक बंगलादेश से तमाम संख्या में इललीगल इनफ्लक्स असम और त्रिपुरा तक आते रहे हैं। इंडो-बंगलादेश बार्डर सील करने के लिए आज तक क्या कदम उठाए गए हैं, हमें उसका रिप्लाई चाहिए। We know that the Government of India always keeps on talking about the construction of border fence between India and Bangladesh. But how long will they take to complete the construction of the border fence? It is very unfortunate… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) …* सभापति महोदया : इसका रिप्लाई कल दिया जाएगा।
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Now, the House will take up zero-hour matters.