NEW DELHI: Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, declared that while India would not adopt confrontationist approach or embrace isolation, it at the same time refused to be arm twisted by others.
Addressing the members of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Rao emphasized that any attempt to pressure India would prove futile as it was determined to stand on its own. “India cannot afford to be arm twisted even if you want to, it is not possible arm twisting is out of question then confrontation is equally out of the question,” the prime minister told the party MPs.
The Prime Minister’s remarks assumed particular significance in view of the recent U.S. threat to penalize India under the provisions of Super 301 and to thwart the Indo-Russian rocket deal.
In an obvious reference to these developments he asserted that the country would charter its own course without buckling under pressure. “We will not be subservient. That goes without saying. That goes against our group. You cannot sit in the lap of any other country. There is no lap in the world to contain you or ask you to sit,” he said.
Rao, however, ruled out any confrontation or turning inwards in the face of pressure. He advocated dialogue to convince others of the country’s viewpoint and remove misgivings. Referring to talks about “some country pressurizing us to do this or that,” he said that there was need to size up the perceptions of others and explain the country’s own position.
In fact, the Prime Minister pointed to the psychological dimensions to the international relations, “We have to understand the entire gamut of international relations. If you are night in not signing the NPT (non polite ration treaty), then they have to be convinced that you are right.”
He called for a “give and take” by convincing other countries of Indias point of view and appreciating “someone else interest without affecting your own interest.”
Rao said that the country S new economic policy had no alternative and therefore irrevocable,
“Let us understand the fact and face it, has anybody got an alternative to Dr.Manmohan Singhs proposals? No one has spoken about it.”
He refuted the charge that the. Nehruvian model had been jettisoned.
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