On the eve of her official visit to India, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has endorsed the outcome of the Indo-Pak summit in Egypt and also praised Pakistan’s ‘commitment’ to fighting terror. Clinton denied there was any US pressure to get India and Pakistan back on the dialogue table. She also claimed that the Obama administration remained committed to the Indo-US nuclear deal. Following is the transcript of her interview with CNN-IBN editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai, to be aired at 1 pm and 9 pm on Saturday on CNN-IBN. Edited excerpts:
The Bush administration has affected a strategic shift in the US relationship with India, where India was seen as the major partner of the US in the region. Is the Obama administration equally committed to taking that relationship forward to seeing India as a major player in Asia?
Absolutely. In my recent speech on the Obama administration’s priorities, I clearly said we see India as a partner, a global partner. I am really pleased that when I come to India, we are going to be announcing a very broad comprehensive agenda for dialogue that minister Krishna and I would be leading. We see India as an economic power, a strategic partner, a country that has unlimited potential. Of course, I am very pleased that I have the opportunity to take forward the commitment that my husband (Bill Clinton, the then president), had made 14 years ago.
The cornerstone of that strategic relationship fashioned by the Bush administration was the Indo-US nuclear deal. Now is the Obama administration just as committed to taking that deal forward? I ask this as the recent G-8 declaration regarding restriction on transfer of atomic technology to non-NPT states, has led some in India to believe that the Obama administration is determined to get India to sign the NPT before we move forward.
Well, of course, we are committed to the civil nuclear agreement that was signed during the Bush administration. I hope to have some announcements about the continuing implementation of that agreement when I arrive in India and I want to discuss with Indian leaders, how we can work together for a common purpose of preventing the proliferation of nuclear material and weapons to state and non-state actors that pose a threat to India to the United States and to the many countries around the world. So, of course, there will be a very serious discussion that will begin with my visit and continue to our important strategic dialogue, but I think we share a common desire to make sure that we don’t have irresponsible state and especially a non-state actor like a terrorist network acquiring weapons that we know should not be in there hands.
Are we to believe then that the clean waiver India got from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) last year will override all else, that you will go ahead with these various nuclear agreements on your trip here and, therefore, the Obama administration is not making the signing of NPT as critical to furthering this strategic relationship?
Well, what I want to speak to your leaders about is, what the possible new approaches to non-proliferation might be and look at the global and regional regime that would stand for India as well as other nations. The Obama administration is, as are other G-8 members you referenced in the agreement that they put out, very concerned about proliferation. The United States is very committed to our nuclear agreement with India, but I want to hear from the Indian leaders what they believe would be the useful step that we could mutually pursue.
Madam, you are coming to India at a time when India and Pakistan have just revived their dialogue. There is a feeling here that it was the US which was pressurising India to return to the dialogue table. Was there that kind of pressure?
No, not at all; I am very impressed with PM Manmohan Singh meeting both Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and now with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. This dialogue between India and Pakistan is certainly one that could only be pursued with the agreement and commitment of the two countries and the leaders. But, of course, the United States is very supportive with steps that India might take towards any agreement that India and Pakistan might reach.
Some fear that the US is still not doing enough to put pressure on Pakistan to bring those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to book, that the US’ sole focus is on Pakistan’s fight against the Taliban, and not so much on Islamabad taking on home-grown terror groups like the Lashkar or Jaish.
Well, I don’t think that’s an accurate perception. We have engaged in a very important ongoing discussion with the Pakistani forces, civilian government as well as the military, about the importance of standing up against terrorists and extremists, no matter who they are and where they might strike. In fact, I think in the last few days there has been a real commitment that was discussed between Prime Minister Gilani and Prime Minister Singh about the commitment of the Pakistani government to pursue the Mumbai terrorists and their associated organisations that provide training and employment to terrorists. I think you will find that Pakistan’s own fight is giving its people a greater understanding and level of commitment through the continuing struggle against the terrorists.
You made climate change also a key issue in your foreign policy. Now the US House of Representatives has passed a Bill which imposes trade restrictions to countries which do not sign to an emissions cap. Are you aware of Indian concerns that if such a Bill is passed in the US Senate, it could hurt developing countries like India?
Well, what I am looking for and what I am anticipating discussing with Indian leaders is how together we can make a fight against climate change a win-win proposition. Certainly, you will not hear from me or President Obama or our administration any desire to prevent the continuing development of India. We understand the great commitment the Indian government and the people have to improving the standard of living of hundreds and millions of people who deserve a good life and a better future for their children, but we also understand the great threat posed by climate change to coastal countries like India.
Well, I must ask you the one final question — the last time you were in India, you came as the First Lady of the US; and this time, you are coming as a Secretary of State. Any memories from that visit? Anything particular you would like to see or do on this visit to India?
Well, the last time I came as the Senator from New York, in 2005, and I have wonderful memories from that trip as I do from my previous trips. Once representing our country at the funeral of Mother Teresa in Kolkata (then Calcutta), and of course the trip that I took with my daughter which was so memorable and just leaves me with many positive and warm feelings about India and its people.
Madam secretary, we appreciate your joining us and we look forward to having you here in India and hope we have a positive outcome from your visit.
I am very confident of it, we are going to deepen and broaden our relationships on so many fronts and I am excited to see the growth and potential of India being realised.
