AICC Diary

18.6.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that it may be recalled that we had opposed the extension of ceasefire to States other than Nagaland. We opposed this because we knew it would create avoidable doubts in sections of other States like Assam and Manipur. We also opposed it because the national opposition parties were not taken into confidence and the worse part of it was the Chief Minister of Assam and the Governor of Manipur were not taken into confidence. Unfortunately now our fears have been proved right. Fundamental doubts have been created in Manipur and elsewhere in the Northeast. As for the Congress Party, we wish to reiterate our unqualified commitment to the maintenance of territorial integrity of Manipur and other States. That has been our consistent and categorical commitment. This is another illustration of the lack of political experience of the NDA Government, more particularly, when it comes to sensitive matters in sensitive States of the country like those of Northeast. We, therefore, consider it necessary to restate our opposition to ceasefire in States other than Nagaland. We welcome ceasefire as applied to Nagaland and oppose extension of ceasefire in terms of other States. Our Nagaland Chief Minister has welcomed the ceasefire but only so far as the ceasefire applies to Nagaland. We would like the NDA Government to look at this issue once again. It also involves many constitutional problems.

On being asked about the role of the Home Minister in the extension of ceasefire, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Home Minister did not consult the Chief Minister of Assam who is democratically elected.

To a question on the mobs on rampage in Manipur, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we are aware of these reports, Manipur is being convulsed by these incidents even now. Fears have been aroused by the lopsided step in regard to territorial integrity of Manipur and other States in Northeast.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that when the Chief Ministers meeting was going on, some Chief Ministers raised the issue of invitations being extended to them for the Constitutional Review Commission. Some of them on their own expressed the view that they would not like to respond to the invitation in view of the vehement and principled opposition of the Congress Party right from the start to the Constitutional Review Commission. Shri Pranab Mukherjee and Smt. Ambika Soni dealt with the background of the issue and endorsed the Chief Ministers view. We have always considered this free wheeling review of the Commission to be an ill-conceived venture and totally unwarranted exercise. Therefore, it was felt in the meeting that none of the Chief Ministers would respond to the invitations of the Commission.

Asked if the Congress Chief Ministers are going to boycott the Commission, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that none of the Chief Ministers are going to respond to the invitations.

To a pointed question on whether the Chief Ministers have been directed to do so, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Chief Ministers themselves took the stand not to respond.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the media is aware of the five Dalits who were killed in Aligarh District of UP and now in Fatehpur District, five Dalits have been killed. There is sudden recrudescence of violence against Dalits in UP. Of course, these incidents betray a pattern, Dalits, weaker sections and minorities are not safe in BJP rule. We, however, would like to appeal to the UP Government and the Home Minister of India to punish those guilty, to take necessary action and to see that protection is offered to Dalits throughout UP.

Asked if any fact-finding team is being sent to UP, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that State Committee is visiting the place very soon.

20.6.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy briefed the press. To a question whether the Congress President has asked the Nagaland Chief Minister to be more restrained in his statements, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Assam were in Delhi last Saturday. At that time the Congress President had a chance to speak to both CMs and they apprised her of the situation in their States.

Asked what the Congress President meant by stating that ‘Politics has sunk to a new low’, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the next sentence is on how ‘Defections are subverting democracy’. It means that if the State had a Government with a democratic mandate, the situation could have been controlled.

To a question on the announcement of dates of the Indo-Pak summit from Pakistan, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that so long as the discussions are within the Simla Agreement, we support them.

27.6.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the BJP President, Shri Jana Krishnamurthy, launched an attack on the signature campaign of the Congress Party in the context of Tehelka scam. This attack apart from being incorrect is also intemperate. The Congress Party went to the people when the BJP Government did not concede even the minimum demand of the entire opposition for JPC probe into Tehelka expose. It was a perfectly legitimate method of democratic mobilization of public opinion. In our view it was a highly successful campaign that enabled Congress workers to get the message across to the people. The reaction of the BJP President only shows how nervous the BJP is about public opinion on the Tehelka issue. The judicial probe on Tehelka issue is taking more time than four months, this was an absolutely anticipated development. We, therefore, said the judicial probe would not meet the ends of justice. The terms of reference were so half-hearted and half-baked as to hijack the investigation altogether.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that Ms. Uma Bharati’s joining the Bajrang Dal may have caused amusement but no surprise. Ms. Uma Bharati is an archetypal BJP leader, every BJP leader is like an onion. One layer belongs to RSS, another layer to the BJP, another layer to the VHP and yet another layer to the Bajrang Dal, God alone knows how many layers. The only good thing about Ms. Bharati is that she is more unhypocritical than other BJP leaders.

On being asked about Mamata Bannerjee’s statement that the Congress is a burden for her, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we would rather look at the comments in the context of politics of West Bengal and we do not wish to make comments on comments. Our alliance with the TMC in West Bengal was forged in the context of her quitting the NDA Government, therefore, the context continues to remain valid. So long as the TMC is not part of NDA, the alliance apparently continues.

To a question on the arrival of Shri Jagjit Singh Chauhan in India, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we as a party have not taken a view on this development, as it is the Government, which has all the inputs on the matter, and it alone can #990000take a stand.

29.6.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that the recent developments in Punjab have caused concern. We can see a pattern in the return of such a controversial person as Jagjit Singh Chauhan. It is important to note that equally controversial persons such as Satnam Singh and Mr Zaffarwal have preceded his arrival. The silence and inaction of both the BJP-led Government in Delhi and Akali Dal led Government in Punjab are intriguing. Dr. Chauhan has not returned as a converted prodigal but an unrepentant separatist. Peace and normalcy in Punjab have been achieved at a colossal cost. We are keen that nothing should be done to threaten the normalcy, which had eventually prevailed in Punjab. Dr. Chauhan cannot be allowed to propagate his secessionist ideology, which is tantamount to a plea of dismemberment of the country.

Asked if the Congress Party is demanding Dr. Chauhan’s arrest, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that if anybody is asking for a separate nation-state, he is inviting action under law. Nobody should be allowed to propagate such subversive ideas.

To a question on the political motives behind his arrival in view of the Assembly elections in Punjab, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that at this stage we do not want to get into that.

On being asked what the Congress Party suggested as a responsible Opposition Party, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that as a responsible opposition we are trying to wake a Government, which has gone to sleep.

To a question on why the Congress Party was fighting shy of demanding his arrest, Shri Reddy said that the point is that a national party does not demand the arrest of A, B or C.

Asked for a reaction on the extension of the Venkatswami Commission, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that as for the extension given or sought for, we may recall with pardonable pride that when the judicial probe was announced we said it could not be completed in four months and we have been proved right.

2.7.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Dr. Manmohan Singh gave details of the Congress President’s successful tour to the United States.

Asked about the details of the Congress President’s discussions with US officials on the National Missile Defence programme, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that it would not be proper to tell the media what happened in the discussions but our views on NMD are that we do not know enough about it. So far, as the American claim that it would lead to reduced nuclear-arms race and is a step towards disarmament, if that happens the whole world would welcome it. But there are uncertainties, the Europeans, Russians, the Chinese, all have differences on the issue. We sought some clarification from the Americans on these matters.

To a specific question whether the Congress Party, which had earlier criticised the Indian Government on its NMD stance, has changed its own view on the issue, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the Government itself modified its stand on the issue after a few days. Our stand has been consistent in the sense that we should know more about the NMD before we jump to any conclusion.

To a question on reports that the Congress President spoke on Enron, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that she did not speak on Enron but there was a question asked at the Asia Society meeting. Mrs. Gandhi gave a reply that there are problems in the Enron project. At a press conference I replied that one cannot wish away the problems that have arisen. The demand projections have gone haywire, the cost of tariff has turned out to be much higher partly because of rise in prices of feedstock, partly because of the depreciation of the exchange rate. The problem is the high cost of tariff, a mutual satisfactorily situation has to be found.

Asked if the question came up that the Enron issue would affect investment climate in India, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that Mrs. Gandhi was asked such a question and she replied that Enron is an isolated case, the overall investment situation remains positive.

On being asked if Mr. Dick Cheney raised the Enron issue in his talks, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that in passing Mr. Cheney did speak on it with Mrs. Gandhi. He said we want strong investments in India and we did reply on the lines as mentioned.

Asked if the Congress President’s speech in the U. S. on the Indian economy was a contradiction of Bangalore, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that Mrs. Gandhi was absolutely consistent. She said economic reforms continue on poverty removal and neglected areas of the social sector. There is no contradiction in what she said in Bangalore and what was said in Washington. These are public speeches and can be scrutinised.

On the Congress President’s remarks on the presence of many Prime Ministerial candidates in the Congress Party, Dr. Singh said that she said that there is no dearth of good candidates within the Congress Party who can be Prime Ministers and that when the time comes we will take a decision.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said the fact is that the Indian economy had slowed down substantially was obvious to every objective observer except the Government of India and despite the substantial slowdown in the last quarter, the Finance Minister has presented a Budget that pegged GDP growth at 6.1%, the real figures show a sharp deceleration to 5.2%. This takes us back to the growth rate of 1997-1998. The last three years of BJP rule have witnessed a progressive deceleration in the GDP growth rate. More worrisome is that this poor performance is characterized in all sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, construction and services. Last year 5.2% was possible due to good export performance, this year that sector is not doing well. The Budgetary estimates and the figure of 8% growth in the 10th Five Year Plan looks to be a pipe dream. As far as this Government is concerned, it has no clue how to lift the economy. The Finance Minister’s Budget estimates were far short of the real figures. The Government talks of kick-starting the economy, but the data do not tally.

To a question that Shri Priyaranjan Dasmunshi has demanded a thorough probe into Air India’s disinvestments, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that we are not aware of what Shri Dasmunshi has said. All along the Congress Party has been demanding that the Government must come with a white paper on disinvestments.

On being asked for a reaction on Shri Thambadurai of the AIADMK’s statement that the two Union Ministers will be released and charges dropped, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we are not interested in charges being pressed. However, we do want a code of conduct to be evolved for the conduct of Ministers while they visit the States.

Asked for a reaction on the BJP’s statement that there has been constitutional breakdown in Tamil Nadu, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that we certainly do not believe that what happened in Tamil Nadu amounts to constitutional breakdown.

4.7.2001 : Shri Jaipal Reddy briefed the press. Shri Jaipal Reddy said that at the risk of sounding immodest we would like to claim some credit for having forestalled President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu. We have performed a similar role in Bihar. The NDA seems to think that despite a Supreme Court judgement in the Bommai’s case, Article 356 is one of the basic features of the Constitution. We hope and trust that the NDA Government will in the future not act like a federal overlord.

Shri Jaipal Reddy said that it is shocking to see that the US 64 of UTI has collapsed for the second time in two years during the NDA Government. UTI is India’s biggest mutual fund and also India’s biggest public financial institution. We hold the Finance Minister and the Government responsible for the rotten state of affairs in the UTI. It is very important that the trust in the UTI is sustained. We therefore believe that to restore the trust at least the units of small investors should be allowed to be redeemed. The Government needs to explain to us how the crony capitalism that is being practised by the NDA Government has led to the erosion of the financial base of the UTI.

To a question on Mamata Banerjee's support for President's Rule in Tamil Nadu Shri Jaipal Reddy said that alliance and friendship does not mean agreement on all issues.

To a question on the Centre's decision to send a warning, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that this warning was a face-saver for the Central Government and we do not grudge such face-savers.

6.7.2001 : Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Anand Sharma said that we are concerned about the manner in which the NDA Government is governing or misgoverning the country. Neglecting important matters of State and having a cavalier approach towards important political issues, Centre-State relations and handling of the economy. The evolving situation in the North East is a matter of serious concern. The present turmoil was triggered by the ad-hoc and casual approach of the Government besides of course, the contribution of BJP-Samata Party directly in undermining the political sensitivity of the State. That region is virtually on the boil, yesterday’s announcement of All Assam Students Union and All Manipur Students Union of forming a common platform to spearhead the agitation in the North East is cause for alarm. This Government had not done anything till Manipur erupted in unprecedented violence. This casual approach about governance is not confined to the sensitive North-eastern region alone but extends to other States also. We are referring to the new pattern of the return of those who actively worked for the dismemberment of the Indian Union and still do not respect the Constitution. It is high time that the Government makes up to what is happening in different regions and ensures it has the will and ability to govern the country.

Shri Anand Sharma said that Dr. Manmohan Singh has already briefed the media on the deterioration in the country’s economic situation. Compounding the situation are the happenings in the UTI. The seriousness of what had happened in the UTI and its ripple effect, has not yet dawned upon all of us. It is not a small number of individuals who have lost their savings, the number is certainly in millions. Since the Budget, the Sensex has fallen from 4,600 to 3,300. It is a huge fall, which had forced us to persist with the demand for JPC. But now with the UTI situation, there is a further fall. It is after the Congress Party’s demand that the Government agreed to a bail-out package. We will be watchful that interest of the small investors as well as corporate sector is not neglected. The UTI and the Government of India should come out with details of the investment by the UTI in unlisted shares. We have reports that UTI had unwisely invested in unlisted shares. The Government must show transparency and throw adequate light on what has happened.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President has welcomed and supported the initiative towards the forthcoming Summit between India and Pakistan. She has extended her best wishes for the success of the Summit. The Congress Party has throughout advocated the need for bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan, and also the preservation and strengthening of people-to-people contact. There is one aspect however, which is not a welcome sign. In Pakistan, General Musharraf has held wide ranging consultations with opposition parties, policy makers and foreign policy analysts. By contrast in India until this moment the Prime Minister and Government have not consulted the opposition. The irony must not be missed, there a military dictator is consulting everybody but in a democracy such consultations are not being held.

To a question on the fact that the Prime Minister has called a meeting of the opposition leaders on the 9th of July, Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress Party has throughout supported the Government and our approach has never been partisan. But General Musharraf has held consultations but the Indian Prime Minister has not done so till now.

To a question that the Prime Minister Vajpayee has called a meeting of former Prime Ministers, Shri Anand Sharma said that all opposition parties in Parliament should be consulted.

9.7.2001 : Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Anand Sharma said that finally the Prime Minister had an all-party meeting on the Indo-Pak Summit. In his opening remarks the Prime Minister conveyed wholesome praise to the Congress President for the Congress President’s statements during her recent visit to the United States. The Prime Minister observed that these statements represented the very essence of the national position on Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress President in her intervention at the all party meeting has stated that the Congress Party is in favour of resolving all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan through a bilateral dialogue on the basis of the Simla Accord an the Lahore Declaration. Smt. Gandhi also welcomed the initiative of Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in inviting General Pervez Musharraf. She also expressed the hope that the Summit will set in motion the process, which will promote peace and harmony in the subcontinent. The Congress President also said that the agenda for the Summit must include all outstanding issues between the two countries and be not only Kashmir. There was a general consensus endorsed fully by the Congress Party that this is a bilateral Summit with no scope for any third party. This is in conformity with the position we have taken throughout in reference to the Hurriyat.

Asked if the Congress Party is now satisfied by what the Government had to say, Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President and the Congress Party have welcomed and supported the initiative. Congress President made statements during her visits to the U. S. that clearly and unequivocally conveyed our position on the Indo-Pak dialogue. In fact, these statements are representative of our national position. We do not view the Summit as a partisan issue but a national issue. The Congress President and the Congress Party have extended their best wishes to the Summit in the hope that this Summit will initiate the process, which will take the subcontinent towards peace. To a question that the Congress Party had on Friday criticised the Government for not taking the opposition parties into confidence, Shri Anand Sharma said that the situation has now been rectified. The situation on Friday was different.

To a question on the Hurriyat being invited to a tea party hosted by General Musharraf, Shri Anand Sharma said that it is not a position on the tea party. In principle we have always been opposed to any third party being part of the dialogue, it has to be a bilateral one. We are taking a view on the Hurriyat, as far as we are concerned the Hurriyat has no role to play.

Asked if anyone from the Congress Party has been invited to the tea party of General Musharraf, Shri Sharma said that as of now we have no invitation. Whenever such an invitation comes, we will let the media know.

To a question on Shri Natwar Singh’s statement on a television channel where he has stated that if the Hurriyat is being invited to a party of 500-600 people there is no objection from the Congress Party, Shri Anand Sharma said that this is exactly what we are saying. We are talking about representation of a third party that is if the Hurriyat is being given a specific role then we object.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the evolving situation in Manipur and the North East is a cause of serious concern. It is clear that the present Government has no perception, no comprehension and no understanding of the sensitivity of the people of Manipur, Assam and Nagaland. The mess has been created by the inconsistent or flip-flop approach of the Union Government. They started by first playing a cynical game in Manipur ignoring that it is a sensitive border State. They undermined the political stability of Manipur by playing a game of naked opportunism. All their position since then has contributed towards creating a volatile situation. We recognise the need for urgent steps to restore peace and order in Manipur and the North East. The Congress Party is closely monitoring the situation, the Party leadership is making an in-depth analysis in consultation with the State Congress leadership. On the 11th of July, a four-member Congress delegation led by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer and including Shri P. R. Kyndiah M. P. from Meghalaya, Shri B. K. Handique M. P. from Assam and Shri N. Ribie Rajya Sabha M. P. from Arunachal Pradesh, shall visit the State.

Asked for a reaction on the review of ceasefire, Shri Anand Sharma said that we are concerned about the processes followed by this Government, which have created the present situation. The Congress leadership is in active consultation with the other State Congress Committees and we will make a detailed statement after the team returns.

11.7.2001 : Shri Pranab Mukherjee and Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Pranab Mukherjee spoke on the US 64 scheme of the UTI. Asked how much the Finance Minister is to blame, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that let the Finance Minister explain when he came to know. Whether there is any truth in it that he came to know hours before the announcement. He must have responded in a particular way.

To a question whether the Congress Party was demanding the Finance Minister’s resignation, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that we are not demanding any resignation or demanding any particular mode of action. We are saying that he cannot wash off his hands. There can be various forms of probe. JPC is already looking into the stock scam, they can be referred to or the Government can think of certain other mechanisms. The Directorate of Enforcement is already set in motion but culprits must be brought to book. The Finance Minister himself said that he has doubts that information was leaked, therefore, the problem acquires serious dimensions.

To a question on whether the Congress Party will be attending the tea party of the Pakistani High Commissioner where the Hurriyat is claiming it will have a closed door meeting with Musharraf, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that the tea party is on the 14th, we will let you know by then.

Asked why the indecision, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that there is no indecision, this matter requires serious thought. On some guests to the tea party, we naturally have some reservations. We will have to see whether all those who are invited should go or not. It is a party of the Pakistani High Commissioner, the host can choose his guests.

To a question on why the Government of India has not been able to put its foot down, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that all the steps of the Government should be delicate. After many years we are having a serious discussion with Pakistan. We are not going to pass any value judgement. Asked if he was optimistic about the talks and whether he expected any major breakthrough, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that in this kind of dialogue, talks should go on. A problem of fifty-four years cannot be solved in one go but dialogue should go on.

13.7.2001 : Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi was anguished by the demolition carried out day before yesterday at the Neherwali Haveli, which virtually made two orphaned children homeless. She promptly took up the matter with the Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dixit and advised that even though the Delhi Government was neither involved nor associated with the security drill or preparations, all possible help must be extended to these two children immediately. Following this the Chief Minister had rushed the Social Welfare Minister Smt. Krishna Tirath with the offer of providing immediate alternate accommodation as well as any other help, financial or otherwise to Ripudaman and her brother. We would like to say that these two children shall not be left unattended or helpless. All that is required is being done by the State Government on the initiative of the Congress President.

Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President and a delegation of senior Congress leaders had a meeting with the Prime Minister and other leaders. The Congress delegation and the Prime Minister had a wide-ranging exchange of views on the agenda and other related issues for the forthcoming Summit. All aspects of concern to both India and Pakistan were discussed. The Congress President pointed out the need to strengthen the peace-process and the imperative need for taking effective steps to deescalate tensions in the subcontinent was underscored by the Congress President. There was special emphasis on the nuclear issue.

The Congress delegation laid special emphasis on the urgent need for discussing and putting in place eventually instrumentalities to avoid any accidental mishap. It was urged that the MOU signed at Lahore must be given a concrete shape at this Summit. On cross border terrorism, the Congress Party has throughout maintained that any and all possible steps should be taken to bring an end to cross border terrorism and that the Prime Minister should firmly take up this matter. On this issue the entire country is united as one. We have also throughout been of this view that the talks between India and Pakistan are bilateral in nature and should be held within the ambit of the Simla Accord and the Lahore Declaration. Congress Party has welcomed the initiative of the Prime Minister and the Government. We have throughout been of this view that India and Pakistan must talk. The overall approach of the Congress Party has been bipartisan, constructive and supportive. We express the view that the Summit shall be the beginning of a process, which shall be sustained in future too.

Shri Anand Sharma said that we have noted the observations of General Pervez Musharraf. It is most unfortunate they have come at this juncture. We strongly disapprove his contention that Simla Accord and Lahore Declaration are not relevant anymore. We maintain the Simla Accord signed between the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi and Shri Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto is the very basis of this dialogue. Accords signed by two nation-states are meant to be respected and honoured by subsequent regimes. Change of Government does not mean that the Accords, especially in this case the Simla Accord, which had taken a very comprehensive view of the issues involved bilaterally between the two countries has in the current context lost its relevance or significance. We also strongly disapprove of President Musharraf’s description of All Party Hurriyat Conference as the sole representative of the people of Kashmir. We have always maintained that this organisation has no representative character. These two indications by General Musharraf is indicating to foreclose the talks even before the Summit has begun. We only wish that this is not the case.

Shri Anand Sharma informed the press that the Congress President would be meeting General Musharraf tomorrow at 11.15am. She will be accompanied by Dr. Manmohan Singh and Shri Natwar Singh. The Congress Party has decided that the party will be represented by a party functionary who will be identified later.

To a question that some leaders have received invitations, Shri Anand Sharma said that many leaders have received individual invitations. The party leadership has decided that only one functionary will attend the tea party.

To a question whether the functionary will be a junior functionary, Shri Sharma said that there is no question of junior or senior in the party hierarchy.

Asked if Shri Natwar Singh’s announcement was premature and has put the Party into an embarrassing position, Shri Sharma said that it is not the case. The rider always remained if there is one-on-one between General Musharraf and the Hurriyat, the Congress Party would review its position. This is a fast changing situation, we were watching the situation. Yesterday we said because of certain revelations which have been made we shall be reviewing it but would take a final view after the Congress delegation meets the Prime Minister. Now we have taken that view that we shall be represented.

14.7.2001 : Shri Anand Sharma briefed the press. Shri Anand Sharma said that the Congress President had a meeting with the Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf this morning. She was accompanied by Dr. Manmohan Singh and Shri Natwar Singh. The Pakistani President was accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Mr. Sattar, the Foreign Secretary, Pakistani High Commissioner in Delhi and the Presidential Advisor. The meeting lasted 25 minutes and the atmosphere was very good, and we would describe it as a very cordial meeting between the Congress leadership and President Musharraf. Smt. Sonia Gandhi welcomed Shri Musharraf to India and also said that the Indian National Congress has fully backed the initiative of the Prime Minister for the Summit and that the Congress Party has always supported a dialogue with Pakistan, a dialogue, which is both meaningful and integrated. She expressed the hope that this Summit would start a process, which will pave the way of good neighbourly relations between the two countries and peace and tranquillity in the subcontinent.

Pakistani President thanked the Congress President and said that he also was looking forward to the resumption of a constructive dialogue. He said that both sides must take into account each others compulsions. General Musharraf also said that rigidity on either side will not help in improving the situation. He therefore hoped that there shall be flexibility and an open mind on both sides. On Jammu and Kashmir, General Musharraf stated that it cannot be relegated to second position. The Congress President in response said that the Simla Accord and the Lahore Declaration both mention Jammu and Kashmir. During the discussions, references were also made to the nuclear issue and the economic necessities for both the people of India and Pakistan and the imperative therefore to work for the promotion of peace. The Congress President wished a positive outcome to the Summit.

Asked who would be representing the Congress Party at the High Commissioner’s tea party, Shri Anand Sharma said that the Secretary of the Foreign Department, Shri Anil Mathrani would be attending.

To a question whether other Congress Party functionaries would be attending, Shri Sharma said that the authorised representative is Shri Anil Mathrani.

- Tom Vadakkan
Media Secretary