BEIJING: While the style of the new government in India is different, it has not made a breakthrough in either the internal or international situation, an influential Chinese weekly has said.
The weekly, Liaowang (Outlook), noted in a recent article, that the VP Singh government had decided to preserve the continuance of policies while making some adjustments, it had also decided to seek the opinion of various sections and look after their interests.
Noting that the government won a vote of confidence from the majority with the Congress (I) abstaining, the weekly said, “If the government can utilize this favorable situation to achieve successes, then it will strengthen and consolidate its position in the future.”
The article said the functioning of the new government for more than a month showed that the policies of openness and consultation advocated by VP Singh were being practiced.
The weekly noted that the new prime minister had cut down security around him, promised to amend the official secrets act, change the status of television and Tadio and expressed his trust in the Sikh people by riding in an open vehicle in Amritsar district of the strife-torn state of Punjab.
The new government had decided to take special measures for socially backward and women, bring ministers, including the prime minister under the jurisdiction of an ombudsman and started the process of religious unity, the weekly noted.
While opposing the demand for “Khalistan and violent activity, the government had taken measures to pacify the Sikhs.” But the bloody incidents continue and the government has not found an authoritative Sikh partner with whom it can hold talks.
The article was silent on the situation in northern border state of Jammu and Kashmir, as presumably it was written before the latest escalation of the situation in that state.
On the economic situation, the article said the new government has resolved to tackle the deficit, the trade and regional imbalances and raise investment in agriculture.
In foreign policy, it noted, the government had decided to continue the non-aligned policy, strengthen India’s special relationship with the USSR and at the same time develop cooperation with the United States, Western Europe and Japan.
The government had moved to improved ties with neighbors, like withdrawal of troops from Sri Lanka and restoration of talks with Nepal.
It has also declared that it will continue to promote the process of understanding and cooperation between India and China and has expressed that hope that “in accordance with the interests of the Indian people, adopt a just and rational attitude to solve the boundary question,” the Chinese weekly added.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 9, 1990
