The
last fortnight was very important for India. Prime Minister Vajpayee's
three-nation visit, WTO (World Trade Organization) meet at Doha, India's
representation in Group-21 meet at New York to discuss the future
governance of Afghanistan attracted the attention of world countries
towards India. In the eventful last week, the heads of USA and Russia
met at Texas to discuss the mutual reduction of nuclear arsenals.
Back home also, it was a very hectic fortnight. There were hectic
actions with the seventh Inter-State Council meeting at Delhi, hectic
discussions and heated arguments on POTO (Prevention of Terrorism
Ordinance), and the decision of one of the most important scientists
and Bharat Ratna Dr Abdul Kalam to quit his Advisory post in preference
to raising scientific awareness among the youth of the nation. At
the State level, in Tamilnadu, almost all the government departments
directly serving the public went on strike. The Transport department,
the State Civil Supplies department, the State Weavers' Associations,
and Co-operative Milk Producers' Association went on a strike against
the state government's hard stance in disbursing the Deepavali bonus
and the festival advance to them.
We would look at some of the important achievements of India in the
International arena in this week and would reserve the other events
for discussions in the forthcoming weeks as they unfold more in the
ensuing weeks.
Prime Minister's
Three-Nation Visit
Firstly, the Prime Minister has to be appreciated
for the signals he spread around during his three-nation visit. His
visit to Russia, USA, and UK from 4th to 13th of November 2001 can
be summed up in one line - India projected herself as a nation interested
in developing itself and would not tolerate any interference by external
agents on any issues that would affect her sovereignty. He has clearly
mentioned to the world countries that India's commitment to world
peace (read as "the world rid of terrorism and violence") is unquestionable
and reassured the world that India would extend all support to free
the world from terrorism. His reiteration that any support to USA
on these lines does not tantamount to military agreements and they
are just sharing of security information conveyed India's clear mind
and clarity of purpose to the world nations for which Vajpayee deserves
applause. Contrast this with Musharraff's hue and cry to USA that
Northern Alliance in Afghanistan should not be allowed to enter Kabul
and there should be a pause during Ramadhan. These cries got only
the chiding and snubbing by George W Bush that "frequent interference"
during the war is unacceptable. Vajpayee's bold statement that India
does not require external support to contain violence at its border
with Pakistan demonstrated India's brave posture to the world and
also signaled to USA that it can not arm-twist India on Kashmir issue.
These reiterations are not just cliches and they have deeper meanings
at this juncture when the world nations are up in their arms to combat
terrorism.
The agreements signed between India and Russia on Koodankulam nuclear
power plant down south in Tirunelveli district in Tamilnadu and other
technology agreements formed the major part of India-Russia discussions.
In UK, the Prime Minister impressed upon the UK Premier Tony Blair
and took him into confidence on our determination to combat terrorism.
The mutual co-operation on this issue was agreed upon and the UK Premier
accepted India's invitation and announced his visit to India in the
month of January 2002.
Doha WTO Meet
Last week was very eventful with the World Trade Organisation meeting
at Doha in Khatar. China and Thaiwan were included in WTO as 143rd
and 144th nation respectively. India has been supporting the inclusion
of China all along. The Union Commerce Minister Mr Murasoli Maran
deserves appreciation for his excellent contribution on behalf of
India and more precisely on behalf of the developing nations in the
recently concluded WTO meet in Doha. WTO works on the principle of
consensus and even a single country can stall a conclusion. The meeting
prolonged for more than a day than the initial deadline to conclude
because of Mr Maran's refusal to budge to USA and EU (European Union).
The International Press, for his consistent stand, congratulated Maran.
When many allies of India, developing nations, mortgaged their interests
one by one by quietly clinching backroom deals and dropped out of
negotiations, Mr Maran stuck to his gun and did not give up. Although
the Indian Press pointed out many unaccomplished assignments, Maran
deserves kudos from the nation for his brave stance in WTO meet.
Gains
The US agreed to negotiations on anti-dumping rules despite strong
opposition from its powerful steel and semi-conductor industries.
The major victory for India was the separate declaration by WTO on
the trade-related intellectual property rights (TRIPS) agreement and
public health. It affirmed that the pact should be implemented in
a manner supportive of WTO members' right to protect public health.
This would enable the access of life-saving medicines at an affordable
cost to people in developing nations who can not afford them otherwise.
The other major victory is that the TRIPS council has been directed
to examine protection of traditional knowledge and folklore, and the
relationship between the TRIPS agreement and the Convention on Biodiversity.
Mr Maran informed the Indian Press that this would enable India to
go for Geographical Indications to products other than wine such as
Basmati rice. ....more
