New Delhi
25 October 2006
Newly appointed minister of external affairs Pranab Mukherjee would
not be drawn into a semantic squabble over the nature of evidence India has been able
to gather for establishing beyond reasonable doubt Pakistan's hand in the July 11
Mumbai serial blasts. What was "most important" for him is peace and tranquility in the
region as well as other parts of the world to ensure that India succeeds in its ambition of
achieving sustained high economic growth of nine or 10 per cent and above.
In his first day in office as the minister of external affairs, Mr Mukherjee said, "Our law
enforcement agencies have gathered certain evidence" and that it would be shared with
Pakistan. He steered clear of controversy about the evidence of Pakistan's hand in the
serial blasts by saying his views could not be different as he was part of the same
government.
He was asked about differing statements made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,
National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and Home Secretary VK Duggal. While Dr
Singh has been saying that India has "credible" evidence, Narayanan said last week that
the evidence was "pretty good" but not "clinching". Duggal later said the evidence was
"fairly solid".
"We cannot alter our neighbours. As we cannot alter our neighbours, it is desirable to
live with our neighbours in peace and create tension-free situation on our borders with
our neighbours," he told reporters while responding to questions on Pakistani role in
terror attacks in India.
To a question about terrorism emanating from Bangladesh, Mukherjee disagreed with a
suggestion about use of "force" against it. He said India has already taken up the issue
with Bangladesh and suggested to them that it is in the interest of both countries that
terrorist activities are curbed. The matter was even raised with Bangladesh Prime
Minister Khaleda Zia when she visited India in April this year, he said.
Mr Pranab Mukherjee received calls of felicitations from His Majesty King Jigme Singye
Wangchuk of Bhutan, United States Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice as well as
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Morshed Khan. The telephone conversations also covered
mutual assurances of close cooperation for further development of bilateral relations.
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