Question: We are very excited about your first meeting with the new leadership of Chinese Republic. Can you share with us the views exchanged, specifically on the water issue, and what exactly is happening in Brahmaputra?
Answer: We reviewed the whole gamut of our bilateral relationship, and discussed the opportunities that exist in exchanging views and coordinating our positions in various regional and international fora. I also took the opportunity to raise the issue of trans-border river systems. I requested the Chinese government to provide a joint mechanism to enable us to assess the type of construction activity that is going on in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. The president of China assured me that they were quite conscious of their responsibilities and the interest of the lower riparian countries. As regards the specific mechanism that I had suggested, he said they would have it further looked into. But as of now, our assessment is that whatever activity is taking place on the Brahmaputra region in Tibet, it is essentially the run-of-the-river projects and, therefore, there is no cause for worry on our part.
Q: Continuing with the China question, the new president soon after he took over laid down five policy proposals in his dealing with India. Does he represent continuity? Do you see change in it? What are your own proposals in handling the relationship?
A: This was my first meeting and both of us, I think, were keen to get acquainted. While we reviewed the whole gamut of our relationship, we did not go in depth into specific solutions for specific problems. But, I got a distinct impression that the new Chinese leadership is as serious as the former Chinese leadership to promote good neighbourly relations and to find practical, pragmatic solutions to outstanding issues between our two countries.
Q: Sir, you have staked considerable political capital on the nuclear deal, but for the past two-three years, your senior foreign policy managers have been trying to sort out the differences in nuclear liability law with other countries with which you have signed deals for nuclear plants. When do you expect all this to be sorted out?
A: We have been exchanging notes and papers. We have just received a note from the Russian side. I am confident that we will be able to find practical, pragmatic solutions to various issues that have arisen.
Q: After support on Sri Lanka, Mamata Banerjee again has expressed her support on foreign policies. Do you think she will support on issues like Teesta in future?
A: I certainly hope that all right-thinking parties and individuals will support the foreign policy initiatives of our government.
Q: One of your biggest allies, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, is not part of your government any more. Your government is much more dependent on Mulayam and Mayawati. Do you think your government is much more vulnerable today? There are fears that Mulayam Singh Yadav may want to withdraw support later this year?
A: Obviously, coalitions face issues. Sometimes, they give the impression that these arrangements are not very stable arrangements, and I cannot deny that those possibilities exist. But I am confident that our government will complete full five years, that the election to the next Lok Sabha will take place on schedule.
Q: Your party and the government have been saying the government is stable and will complete its full term. Does it still have political wherewithal to sustain reforms you had started a year back?
A: It is not a once for all set-up that we are seeking by way of reforms. Reforms certainly have to take into account the fact that we don't have the majority to get Parliament to approve some of our reform proposals. So, we are certainly dependent on the goodwill of our allies and I would be the last one to deny that there are uncertainties. But even then, we are confident that the reforms that matter, and which are going to yield results in the next few months, we will be able to push them.
Q: Given the fact that ally after ally are leaving the United Progressive Alliance, do you think the Congress and your leadership have lost the ability to hold allies together?
A: I don't share that view. I think that, as I said, alliances do have compulsions that have to be taken into account. We will not allow these compulsions to derail the reform process or to create a situation where the essential task of governing this vast country of ours can be put aside.
Q: In the 2014 elections, if Congress President Sonia Gandhi and your party request you to accept third term, will you accept prime ministerial nomination for the third term?
A: These are all hypothetical questions. We will cross that bridge, when we reach there.
Q: You are going to complete nearly a decade as prime minister - a long innings in public life. But many other world leaders have gone on to accomplish a lot more after 80. Do you still have the drive, the energy and the motivation to contribute to public life from now on?
A: I have tried my very best to serve this country with all sincerity, with all dedication. Whether I have succeeded or not, it is for the public at-large - the people of India to judge.
Q: On the Italian marines issue, there is a strong feeling that the central government is delaying the process unnecessarily?
A: As far as the two marines, who are accused of killing two Indian fishermen, this is now a story that is a part of the judicial process. The Supreme Court has looked at it and a special court has been set up. And, I sincerely believe, that's where the matter should be left. It would be much too presumptuous on my part to comment on an issue that is sub-judice.
Edited excerpts from the onboard media interaction with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his return from the BRICS Summit in Durban, South Africa, on March 28
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