Q. What are the significant milestones of India’s foreign policy under the second UPA Government?

We are now going through an interesting phase in the transformation of Indian foreign policy. At one level, the fundamentals of Indian foreign policy as laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru have not changed. We stand for a world of equality, balance. We are a country which traditionally has expressed solidarity with the less privileged. We have stood with countries in Africa in their fight against colonialism, fought against apartheid. We have articulated a number of. principles. NAM itself was a way of asserting our autonomy of decision making in a demanding world. All those are time tested approaches and still not abandoned.

However, the circumstances within which these principles are applied have indeed changed globally. First at the end of Cold War and second with the collection of forces that one sees in the last 20 years. On the one hand you see the phenomena of globalization and increasing knitting together of the world economies. India’s own economic liberalization made it a globalised economy.

And at the same time, we have witnessed a phenomena of the world being torn apart by differences among religious groups – fundamentalism of various sorts. Use of terrorism; talk of the clashes of civilization are instances. One can argue that the end of cold war has left one super power that you can relate or not relate to. But in addition to that, we have these forces taking space. We have to navigate our path. One of the key changes in our policy in the context of the changes I had mentioned has been a much greater consciousness that India being able to use foreign policy as instrument, for the economic well being of the Indian people to create an enabling environment of relations with countries to facilitate investment and trade. These have become elements that have augmented what I said earlier. In other words, we have an existing fundamental foreign policy. On top of that we have a foreign policy for a globalised world, uni-super power world to create and strengthen relationship for our own development.

Q. Does that mean we are driven more by national interests than universal principles?

No, we have certain principles in all our relationships. In the case of China, obviously, some people have tried to look at the relation with China in a competitive spirit. I would rather argue that our relation with China is one which goes beyond one particular problem. We see China with a wide vision. The border, despite the failure to agree is peaceful and tranquil. And there had been tremendous growth in other aspects of our relations. Take Trade, it is the highest in the world if you discount the trade in services with America. Look at the increase in travel and tourism at Mansoravor and Kailash; look at the 7000 students studying in China; look at the Indian IT companies operating in big Chinese cities, hiring and training Chinese professionals. Hu Away from China opening its office in Chennai and hiring Indians, You are seeing a relationship that is much more complex and should not be reduced to any one issue. As for the allegation of competition in Africa, my answer is very clear; Africa’s needs are great enough and there is room for both China and India not to forget the West and Japan also. China has a trade of US$70 billion with Africa and that of India India is US$37 billion.

Q. After the India-Africa Forum in 2008 there have been no high profile events on Africa? Are you planning some event on Africa?

On 15th and 16th March we have a conclave organized by the CII and Exim Bank in New Delhi which brings together large number of African delegations. In that foreign ministers are coming; Vice Presidents are coming. It is a serous representation. Yes we will take the advantage of their presence and hold bilateral meetings with them. I want to stress that we are not complacent on Africa; our policies stand on its own feet and are long standing. As a minister I travel in Africa and I find the receptivity to us as very, very high. When an African sees India, they see someone who had overcome the very similar problems in cultural, economic and social conditions they endured. If India can do it, may be they can guide us to do it. That is the feeling.

Q. How is India contributing to the Middle East Diplomacy?

President Abbas of Palestine visited Delhi recently. He was received by the Prime Minister. I had a one-to-one meeting with the PM and discussed a whole host of issues. I believe Palestine fully understands our role as that of a friend; India was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine. As a state, we are showing our solidarity in tangible terms including financial assistance. We have built a new Palestine Embassy here. I want to stress that we are really working very closely. As far as relations with Israel is concerned, we have upgraded the relations to Ambassadorial level and maintain contacts. There is cooperation in many sectors including agriculture. But our stated positions are clear to Israel and it is also there in the public domain. It is a flawed argument to say that India is deviating from its principles in Middle East, because of relations with Israel.

Q. What was the outcome of PM’s Visit to Saudi Arabia? Has that improved India’s standing with the Muslim world?

Our relations with Saudi Arabia should be seen in that bilateral context only. Of course his majesty is the custodian of the two mosques in Mecca and is held in high esteem by his fellow believers. Our PM went and spoke to him. India’s approach had been--‘you are a friend of us and you are a friend of Pakistan. But have some understanding on what we are going through’. There is a feeling we can get a lot more cooperation in matters like sharing our world view on terrorism. The Extradition Treaty we signed is important in the sense that it helps to nab a person on criminal charges including terror charges. We don’t have a lot of cases, but a treaty in place means it can be helpful.

Q. What is the progress in the FTA talks with GCC States?

The proposal has not been shelved; it is very much on our books. The second joint working meeting will be held soon. In fact I took up this issue with Commerce Minister Mr. Anand Sharma after my visit to Bahrain. As for domestic opposition, certain sectors of our economy are used to certain kinds of protectionism including tariff protection. Some resistance is there with regard to FTAs in lifting of tariffs in certain things. But the truth is by and large, our business community as a whole is appreciative of the benefits that can come to the Indian consumer in the long term. It has appreciated the strengths of free-trade. There may be some short term difficulties; for example the ASEAN free trade is good for India as a whole but certain sectors of the economy in Kerala find it vulnerable. But we addressed those concerns. Similarly, with GCC too, we will sort out any resistance if any.

Q. What is the progress on the UN Security Council Berth for India?

The elections are in October. Now India’s election seems assured as our only opponent Kazakhastan has withdrawn. And we should be elected unopposed. We feel, we shoud go into the council with the broadest possible support. The second issue is the longer term reforms. That may take some more time.

Q. As a writer now in charge of foreign affairs how do you wish to contribute to Cultural Diplomacy?

Culture diplomacy has always been seen as an asset. Increasingly there is a consciousness that our soft power is at par with our economic muscle, political positions and skilled diplomacy. It is not the only thing that the government can do. ICCR is the arm of the government; it can bring groups here. Those are necessary, but that is not enough. You also need Hollywood stars taking to yoga; you want Indian restaurants proliferating the world, Indian fashion designers coming onto the global stage. There are different sorts of things that can give India a place in the popular imagination of foreigners. That frankly is better than normal cultural processes especially in an open society like ours. I always say that our biggest asset in Afghanistan for a decade was the success of the Bollywood Television soap opera “Sas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Dhi” that was so popular and captured an audience share unimaginable. It even started affecting the public discussion.

In soft power, I would see a more systematic leveraging; I want people around the world to see our society and judge for themselves as to what we are rather than the government unleashing propaganda. ICCR has an indispensable role with its huge tax-payers resource. But it is by no means a substitute for what our civilization or culture does. But what we can do is, provide a frame work and platform for products and cultural actions that the government itself does not generate.

Q. You are a pioneer in use of Social Media? Please throw some light on its advantages?

It is all about transparency. It is like addressing a self-selected public who may or may not have interest in terms of promoting certain consciousness about the role and work of a minister of external affairs. But there have also been instances of some diplomatic spin off. Bahrain foreign minister publicly stated that he started tweeting because of me. I had similar interaction with British foreign secretary David Miliband. This suggests that there can be an additional complement to routine diplomatic exchanges through social groups.

Q. What is your message to the readers of Diplomatist?

My answer is, it is very important for them to be interested in Diplomacy, which is the world of international cooperation. In today’s world, it is simply not possible to think of just your own country. The world is knit together by economic forces, political, social forces, satellite communications, outsourcing, access etc. All of us are deeply connected with each other. Your publication renders a signal service by focusing on the forces by which the world is brought together. And I would encourage your readers not only to read about things, but also read them in the context of the kind of world that is being shaped up.