|
|
 |
| Sunday, 5 May 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Inder Kumar Gujral: More mundane than meaningful by Hana Ibrahim Inder Kumar Gujral was Prime Minister of India from 1997 to November 1997, when his United Front coalition collapsed.
A seasoned diplomat and former Foreign Minister he is widely credited with having done more to improve India's relations with the region during his 10 months as foreign minister than previous governments had done in years. Born in Jhelum on December 4 1919, he is the son of two activists in the independence struggle against Britain, Narain and Pushpa Gujral. Like his parents Gujral served time in prison during world war 11 for his political activities against the British, but still managed to complete two doctorate degrees at college in Lahore and New Delhi, including one in literature. In 1947, he joined the vast throngs of Hindu Muslim migrants who left their homes when Britain's colonial rulers partitioned the Indian subcontinents into the two new nations of India and Pakistan. Jhelum in the north east, became part of Pakistan, and the family fled east across the new frontier and made a new home in New Delhi. Fluent in Urudu, the national language of pakistan, he spends part of his leisure time writing Urudu couplets, a poetic form that can be traced back to India's Mogul Emperors. His wife Sheila, is a poet and author and his brother Satish is a prominent architect.Gujral has often been criticised for hewing to leftist shibboleths, but has supported India's move away from socialism to a market economy, and has repeatedly stated that maintaining good relations with the USA was one of his aims. But conversely he has also been often placed in the anti American camp, specifically during the Gulf War in 1990 when he supported the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. He is considered the most educated of all those who have risen to that position of ultimate power in the Indian political scenario - Prime Minster. And with two doctorate degrees at colleges in Lahore and New Delhi, including one in literature, he is certainly that. But on Friday, in press interview that reeked of stage- management, if not by the Indian High Commission, then at least by some high officials, Inder Kumar Gujral, India's one time Prime Minister and perhaps the most successful of all Foreign Ministers, appeared more mundane than meaningful. Refusing to deviate from an ostensibly pre-determined script that redlined the LTTE as a taboo topic, the amiable former PM, dutifully quoted India's wish for peace in Sri Lanka and repeatedly stated: "I don't like to comment on anything that affects the peace process - but stand by the wish that it would succeed." In Sri Lanka for a two-day South Asians for Human Rights conference at the Galadari Hotel, Gujral, somewhat frail, a tad hard of hearing, but still with his trademark Lenin-style goatee in tact, said he was happy to visit Sri Lanka in a more hopeful situation. His previous visit to Sri Lanka was in 1996 when he was Foreign Minister. The was the opening salvo, and it was followed by India's hope and wish for the dawn of peace in Sri Lanka. "We are very gratified to see the beginning of the peace process. I wish it success," he said adding that peace will further strengthen democracy in Sri Lanka. Emphasising that peace should be achieved to the satisfaction of every Sri Lankan irrespective of religion or ethnicity, he also said: "We like Sri Lanka to prosper as a united state and become a vibrant member of the South Asian Community." Gujral however refused to make any comments on the Indian demand for the extradition of the LTTE members, including V. Prabhakaran, for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi; Delhi's current attitude towards the LTTE; the LTTE demand for de-proscription before any talks begin; the impact such a de-proscription would have on the international scene; or even Prabhakaran's demand for Tamilnadu Chief Minster Jayalilitha to be extradited to Sri Lanka. In a session cut down to about 10 minutes and bordering on the humdrum, and where journalists were told what question they should ask he said that securing peace was very important since the war had been bothering Sri lanka for nearly two decades, affecting both lives and property. Given India's proximity to Sri Lanka, not just in the geographical sense, but also social, linguistic, cultural and economic senses, he said that if Sri Lanka gets back its peace, it would give a great deal of satisfaction to India. "We are very positive about the peace process - and wish it would succeed," he repeated, re-repeating: "I won't say anything that would in anyway impede the peace process." Commenting on the South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) conference, where he is being joined by leading Human Rights activists from the region, Gujral described SAHR as the first organisation of South Asian countries that is trying to identify issues that have transborder implications - fishermen, migrant labour, women trafficking- and said that the participants will be discussing these issues during the conference. "As the organisation proceeds, we will identify all those issues and Human Rights activists will be able to strengthen the movement on Human Rights in South Asia," he said. Gujral, famous for being the Prime Minister for the shortest span -from April 1997 to November 1997 when his United Front Coalition government collapsed, is equally noted for his Gujral Doctrine - that India should not only be big brother to the region, but also a generous one. When in power he was criticised as giving away too much to the neighbours without getting much in return. However, current Prime Minster A.B. Vajpayee is also reported as following this principle, through liberal visa regime for scholars, artistes and students and the release of fishermen and civilian prisoners. It is now being described as the only way to win over people. Today, Gujral describes his doctrine as methods by which the South Asian community and governments cope with each other for the common good and then proceed forward. The SAARC group report, he said was a good agenda that adequately represented the spirit of his Doctrine. "It laid the ground work for good regional relationship. Improvement of relations all play a role to make relationship wholesome. In that context SAARC an important forum," he said, adding that the ultimate aim is to create an economic community. Citing the free trade agreements that taking shape between India and Sri Lanka, and the relationship India has with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh he said free trade was a good preamble to building a South Asian Community that is similar to the European Community. Commenting on India's relations with Pakistan, Gujral who is credited with laying the groundwork for reduction of tension with Pakistan by unilaterally easing travel and visa restrictions for Pakistanis visiting India, said his country would like to have good friendly relations with Pakistan. "I hope the rulers see the wisdom of not encouraging violence or terrorism across the border," he said, explaining that the Lahore Declaration was damaged by Kargil and the coup in Pakistan. "We do hope the people get back their democracy. It would be easier for democracy to prosper if India and Pakistan were to compete regionally." |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
