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| Sunday, 28 July 2002 |
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'Solution to ethnic question lies in political dialogue alone' - Outgoing Indian Envoy The departing High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka Gopalkrishna Gandhi commenting on the Mahatma's teachings says "his position on violence and arms will always be ahead of protracted negotiations or treaties on arms limitations. We neglect Mahatma Gandhi's messages at our peril". in an interview with the Sunday Observer on the eve of his departure he reflects on the validity of that message in the context of current events in Sri Lanka and says he leaves the island with the greatest satisfaction in seeing war cease hopefully for ever.. He leaves Sri Lanka to Oslo, Norway shortly to take up his appointment there as his country's envoy. by Ananth Palakidnar
How do you assess your tenure in Sri Lanka as the Indian High Commissioner? Answer: Next to India, the longest time I have spent in any country has been in Sri Lanka. I was in Kandy for four years from 1978 to 1982. And have been here, in Colombo from 2000. I therefore regard Sri Lanka as my second home. My innings as High Commissioner have been, for me, most fulfilling although I am only carrying on the processes my predecessors had initiated and my successors will take into the future. My greatest satisfaction in Sri Lanka this time, of course, has been in seeing war cease - hopefully for ever. Q: You are leaving Sri Lanka at a time when the peace process is moving forward to settle the ethnic crisis. How do you see the efforts being made with the Norwegian facilitation? A: I have often been asked the same question in a different way: 'Do you see light at the end of the tunnel?" My answer is that while most tunnels are straight, this one is not; it is circuitous and it meanders. So one sometimes gets a glimmer of the light but most times it is obscured. The encouraging fact is that the Sri Lankan leadership's journey on it is sincere and patient. These - sincerity and patience are qualities that deserve to be rewarded with success. Q: The Sri Lankan leaders believe that India's role is inevitable in the current peace process. What sort of a role can India play with regard to the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka? A: India believes that a solution to the ethnic question in Sri Lanka lies in political dialogue alone. India supports the peace process; that is its role. When that support is present, there is no need for further elaboration. India is committed to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. India also remains implacably opposed to terrorism here in Sri Lanka or elsewhere. Q: Is there any significance in your new posting as the Indian Envoy to Norway when that country is playing a major role as a facilitator in the Sri Lankan crisis? A: It would be presumptious on my part to note any significance in my postings - this one or any other. But I do see in my appointment to Oslo a valuable opportunity to continue to observe the Norwegian facilitation. Q: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is banned in India. But since the organisation has now come forward to enter into negotiations with the Sri Lankan Government, what would be the Indian stand on the LTTE? A: As our Minister of External Affairs put it recently, "India has its laws; Sri Lanka has its peace process". Q: India remains a model country in the South Asian region by handling its ethnic differences with the devolution of power. What sort of a settlement do you think is viable for the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka? A: It is not for India to suggest models or formulae to others, but our federal experience and our Constitution are there for all to see. India believes the Sri Lankan leadership and people have the vision and expertise to arrive at their own equilibrium. Q: India has come forward to use the oil storage tanks in Trincomalee. How do you describe the links between India and Sri Lanka on this issue? A: The recently signed agreement between India and Sri Lanka on the Trinco oil tankage is for commercial co-operation. It is linked to the disinvestment plans of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the opportunity thus provided to the Indian Oil Corporation to participate along with a domestic partner in the stocking and retailing of petroleum products in Sri Lanka. Q: You would have travelled extensively in Sri Lanka including to the war ravaged North and the East. What is your impression of the people, places and the country at large? A: My distinct impression from travels in the North, East and in other parts of the Island is that the people want, need and deserve peace. They also require economic opportunities. They have the skills to convert such opportunities into prosperity. Already, you have a higher GDP per capita (US $ 841) than India's (US $ 470). Q: The crisis between India and Pakistan remains a threat to the entire South Asian region with both countries having nuclear weapons. How do you view this tense situation? A: India wishes Pakistan and its people well; it cannot but. We are neighbours and we have the same roots. We have put it to the leadership in Pakistan that there is a substantial area where we can have constructive talks, negotiations; let us proceed with those. We have adopted such an approach with China. As a result, the Sino-indian border question has been reserved for patient analysis, even as we go ahead and make excellent progress on other areas of convergence. If Pakistan agrees to adopt such an approach, our bilateral relations can improve exponentially. India further believes that, in the meantime, the infrastructure of cross-border terror must be effectively, permanently and visibly dismantled by Pakistan. If that does not happen, tensions will remain. Q: You are the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi who is revered as an apostle of non-violence. How do you remember your grandfather and how relevant are his teachings to the present day world? A: I was 2 1/2 years old when the Mahatma was assassinated and so I have, alas, no memories of him. But as one who belongs to the generation in which he lived I am aware of the fact that he has given us certain all-time verities. Whenever we have failed to heed him we have paid a heavy price. While he addressed contemporary issues and brought them to conclusion, he was, basically, a man of the future. He was ahead of his times. Far ahead. Take the ecological sciences. Mahatma Gandhi never used the word 'ecology', but how pioneering he was in warning the world that its squandering of natural resources was suicidal! Then on the question of gender equality, both by practice and precept, his movement led the way. Similarly, his position on violence and arms will always be ahead of protracted negotiations or treaties on arms limitation. We neglect Mahatma Gandhi's messages at our peril. |
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