AICC expresses concern over situation in Pakistan

New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) The AICC today expressed grave concern over the recent developments in Pakistan, saying anarchy, terrorism and extremism in the neighbouring country would have an immediate effect on India.

'''The AICC believes in a stable, peaceful and democratic Pakistan. The AICC hopes that the situation in Pakistan will return to normal soon and the India-Pakistan dialogue process can be resumed with full vigour sooner than later,'' the 'omnibus' AICC resolution said while dealing with international developments.

The resolution spoke at length about India's ties with its neighbours, including Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It recognised that many of the country's neighbours were passing through difficult transitions.

It said the AICC hoped the people of Nepal would have an opportunity to choose their own future and the nature of the institutions that would govern them through early elections to the constituent assembly. Bangladesh too was attempting a difficult process back to democratic normalcy. The AICC would like Bangladesh to continue on the path of democracy and secularism.

On Sri Lanka, the resolution said the LTTE, categorised internationally as a terrorist outfit, deliberately assassinated Rajiv Gandhi in a brutal manner. ''The sentiments of all Congressmen and women, especially are bound to get hurt if the LTTE is eulogised in any manner,'' it added.

Referring to the Indo-US nuclear deal, it said international cooperation on the country's own terms within an overall framework of self-reliance has always been the founding principle of the nation's nuclear programme. ''In this context, the AICC welcomes the nuclear cooperation agerement with the US. It is convinced that it will end India's isolation in the international nuclear community and will enable it to access technology more easily so as to significantly increase the contribution of nuclear energy to our electricity supply over the next two decades. The AICC has no doubt that the nuclear agreement protects India's fundamental strategic interests in every way,'' the resolution added.

''Even as our credible minimum nuclear deterrent is maintained purely from the point of view of securing the country's defences, the AICC recalls that the commitment of the Congress to comprehensive, universal nuclear disarmament has been both profound and steadfast. We have never compromised in this belief even as strategic compulsions have forced us into nuclear weaponisation,'' the resolution said.

The resolution said the AICC had always believed in a foreign policy that upholds and promotes the interests of the country. ''It condemns the efforts of some political parties to give a communal colour to our foreign policy,'' it added.

The AICC recalled that it was the letter to the Congress President to the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in June 2003 that stalled the dispatch of Indian troops to Iraq when the BJP-led NDA Government had all but decided to do so. ''No country has suffered as much from terrorism as India has over the past two decades and a half and no country has a greater stake in elimination of terrorism as India has,'' it added.

The AICC lauded the UPA Government for taking a number of important initiatives to enhance the country's standing in the world community. ''Our Prime Minister has given India's foreign policy a new boost, both by his personal standing and his vision,'' it added.

The AICC also appreciated India's time-tested relationship with Russia, the country's 'Look East' policy and its growing ties with China, Britain, European Union, Africa and other countries.''India's defence ties with countries in the region and beyond have continuously increased over the years as our armed forces and our defence production gain recognition as among the best in the world,'' it added.

UNI