India not in favour of exporting ideologies: Pranab

Singapore, Jun 3: India today promised at an Asian defence and security conference not to export its democratic ideology to neighbouring military-ruled Myanmar nor seek involvement in Sri Lanka's peace process.

Addressing the Fifth IISS Asia Security Summit -- also known as the Shangri-la Dialogue -- here, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee made clear that it was for the people of the countries to decide what type of government they would like.

Responding to a question if India can help promote democracy in neighbouring military-ruled Myanmar, Minister Mukherjee said. ''It is not only a question of Myanmar, but in many other countries, there are different types of governments... Our basic principle is to live in peaceful coexistence and we do not believe in exporting ideologies....'' Minister Mukherjee also said India supported the peace process in Sri Lanka -- where Tamil rebels are fighting the Sinhalese-dominated government for independence -- but would maintain a hands-off approach.

''Sharing the same ethnic group, we believe our active participation (in the peace process) would complicate the issues instead of resolving it,'' Mr Mukherjee said, referring to the large ethnic Tamil population in India who may have sympathies for the Sri Lankan rebels.

''But we stand fully behind the peace process....'' The Minister also defended India's recent nuclear cooperation deal with the United States, which is awaiting the US Congress approval.

The deal calls for the US to share civilian nuclear technology with India. Washington says the deal is a realistic effort to bring nuclear safeguards to a country determined to remain outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Critics fear the deal would dismantle the NPT and allow unfriendly countries to build nuclear weapons programmes using imported civilian nuclear technology.

Mr Mukherjee pointed out that even though India was not a signatory to the NPT, it has an ''impeccable record'' of ensuring that it does not export nuclear materials and technology.

''Therefore, I do feel that we should receive the support of the international community,'' he said. ''We require energy to foster growth and nuclear energy is essential to ensure our growth on a long term and sustainable basis....'' The annual dialogue -- organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) -- opened last night with issues to be addressed at the Plenary Sessions of this year's dialogue including The US and Asia's Emerging Security; India and China: Rising Global Players; Deploying Forces for International Security; Setting National Security Priorities; and Constructing a Regional Security Community.

Eminent participants include Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Australian Minister for Defence Brendan Nelson, Japanese Minister of State for Defence Fukushiro Nukaga, Indonesian Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono and Singapore's Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean.

Some 250 delegates from more than 20 countries and regions in Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe have gathered here for the three-day Asia Security Summit -- also known as the Shangri-la Dialogue for it has been held at Singapore's Shangri-la hotel since its inauguration in 2002.

The 'Shangri-la Dialogue' is regarded an important gathering to discuss security issues facing the region and is seen as a complement to the ASEAN Regional Forum, an annual meeting of foreign ministers from Asia, the United States, China, Russia and Japan, among others.

UNI