Editorial

Combating Terrorism Together

This month saw the 13th SAARC summit being convened in Dhaka. Two major issues dominated this forum. Trade and terrorism. We have seen the devastation and death caused by terrorist bombs when innocent civilians were killed. The bombs were placed in market places where Diwali and Eid shoppers were buying gifts to celebrate the annual festivals. It is time that these attacks were contained and that will only happen if our neighbourhood takes a consistent policy on terrorism. Like our Prime Minister said recently _ one country's terrorists, those who take innocent lives _ cannot be seen as freedom fighters in another country. India and the world have taken a strong stand against terrorism the world over. Pakistani President General Mushrraf has also vowed to root out terrorism, in his country. Similarly Bangladesh has also seen the rise of Islamic terrorism. The systematically coordinated bomb attacks that took place in Bangladesh a few months ago were designed to announce the presence of well-entrenched terrorists in Bangladeshi territory. Unless and until all the countries of the subcontinent agree to fight terrorism together and above all agree not to allow their territories to be used as havens for terrorism, the sub-continent will remain stuck with poverty and backwardness. We owe it to our people to move forward.

Saarc is an important forum for the region and it can serve as the nodal organization for economic integration. Here, we can learn from the experience of Europe and ASEAN. Both regions have successfully carried out economic and trade agreements that have benefited their people. In a rapidly globalising world, the region must capitalize on its mutual strengths and complementarities to implement the South Asian Free Trade Agreement. Here, India will have to take the lead, as the stronger economy, to ensure a level playing field for others and also serve as an engine for growth in the region. Trade reciprocity can be an important means to handle not just poverty in the region but also change mind-sets in the region. It is here that a political will is necessary. While keeping in mind the security needs of each country, we can still move towards soft borders and allow transit facilities to each other. This is particularly important in the field of energy. The proposed pipelines through Pakistan and Bangladesh are not only in India's interest. Both Pakistan and Bangladesh will also gain hard currency in terms of transit fees. Narrow-minded national interest can no longer be the way we assess our subcontinent. The world has changed irrevocably and it is up to us whether we want to change along with it or be for ever left behind.

The BJP has been making great noise about the Volcker report, like they did about Bofors. Despite their best efforts,Rajiv Gandhi was found innocent. The Congress has already put in place an enquiry commission, headed by a former Chief Justice and is more concerned than anybody else to get to the root of the issue and find how and why the name of the Party has figured in this report. We believe in the sanctity of our legal system. Innocent until proven guilty. The trial by media and by loud sloganeering is not justice and we would like the BJP to look within its own ranks. We would like, especially Shri George Fernandez, to tell us why his residence as Defence Minister was used to collect money from armament dealers _ an image permanently ingrained in our minds and shown across television channels in the nation. Let justice take its own course and we are sure that the Congress Party will stand vindicated.

This month is also significant for the Congress Party since we have taken over the reigns of government in Jammu & Kashmir. The Congress Party is determined to continue the peace process not just within the valley but also across the border. Kashmir has seen a change that has occurred in the valley since a democratically elected government was put in place and it has also seen the people turn their face away from terrorism. The Congress Party is committed to good governance where ever it is power and in Jammu &Kashmir it is essential that we prove ourselves worthy of the mandate that the people have given us.