Al Ahram, P.6 (10-7-2006)

 

Interviewed by: Mohamed Abdel Hadi

 

The Ambassador of India to Egypt Mr. A. Gopinathan stressed that there is considerable scope for further efforts from both the sides to strengthen the existing relations and to realise the true potential of the relationship. He expressed his country's readiness to transfer its technological experience to developing countries for furthering strengthening the principle of self-reliance.

 

In an interview with "Al Ahram", the Indian Ambassador said, " The relations between India and Egypt are historic, deep-rooted, friendly and multi-faceted. These are reflected in exchange of visits and cooperation in international forums. Traditionally, Egypt has enjoyed a special position in India’s foreign policy. Our friendship which dates back to the times even before we both became independent nations has been strong and time-tested. "

 

He added, "Egypt is one of India’s most important economic partners, with bilateral trade above $ 1 billion in 2005. Egypt is also an important destination for Indian investments which amount currently to about $ 350 million.  There is considerable scope for further efforts from both the sides to strengthen the existing relations and to realise the true potential of the relationship.Increasing number of Indian companies are looking upon Egypt as an important investment destination in fields of energy, automobiles, textiles, telecommunications, etc., whereas Indian tea and meat companies are seriously looking forward to re-gain their past position in the Egyptian market. We would like to share with Egyptian enterprises our own experience in the fields of Information Technology, Science & Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Railways, Space Technology & Remote Sensing, Higher & Technical education and so on. In return, we would like to benefit from the Egyptian expertise in areas like tourism and related infrastructure, management of archaeological sites, waterways, development of modern system of conservation of manuscripts and modernisation of libraries and documentation centres. As for South-South countries’ cooperation and possibility of India's giving its experience to other developing countries, the Indian Ambassador said, "We see South-South cooperation as an important vehicle for meeting the common challenges of achieving economic growth and socio-economic development. Our commitment to South-South cooperation dates back to even before our independence. As our first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had said, political freedom would not be complete without achieving economic freedom. We are ready to share our experience, knowledge and capabilities to meet the challenges that confront the developing countries".

 

He added, "India's Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme has imparted training to more than 25,000 personnel from fellow-developing countries in various Indian Institutions in 1964. Our approach has been geared towards strengthening horizontal South-South linkages and towards promoting self-reliance through transfer of technologies appropriate to the needs of our partners." He indicated, "Indian technology and capital aided by its skilled manpower has been assisting developing countries to utilise their natural resources and develop strong human resource capital. Our scientists are also working hard to develop inexpensive and effective drugs for malaria and AIDS, which might be of great significance and benefit to all of us. Similarly, we have been extending all possible support to the people of Afghanistan in reconstructing their lives. With regard to the cooperation between Egypt, India and the African continent, the Indian Ambassador confirmed that India has extended the hand of friendship and cooperation to all countries of Africa. We have been fortunate to play a modest role in ending colonialism in the fifties and in the end of apartheid. Our approach to Africa has been to consolidate the gains of five decades of close ties of friendship; to intensify bilateral economic and commercial links for mutual benefit; to share our developmental experiences and to strengthen institutional linkages with regional and            sub-regional groupings in Africa.  We regard that Egypt too has an important role to play in this area, being one of the most populous, educated and resourceful countries in the African continent. I may mention in this context an important recent initiative by India. In October 2005, the Government of India and the African Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding for establishing "Pan African e-Network". This network envisages the electronic and knowledge connectivity mission for the 53 member countries of the African Union including tele-education and tele-medicine services. Egypt has a pivotal role to play in this as Egypt is one of the fastest growing economies in the region with a vast reservoir of talented human resources.  About India's position towards the Arab-Israeli conflict and India's appointment of a special envoy for the MEPP, the Indian Ambassador stressed that India has always been supportive of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. We have been steadfastly committed to their cause for a free and viable Palestinian state, living peacefully side-by-side with Israel. We believe that a just, comprehensive and durable peace in the region can only be achieved through negotiations.  The appointment of a special envoy for Middle-East reflects the desire and commitment of India for an early solution to the issue and we look forward to provide our best possible support in resolving the issue. 

 

Concerning the efforts being exerted to settle the matter of Kashmir and the coming steps to be taken in order to improve relations with Pakistan, the Indian Ambassador said that India has held consistently that India and Pakistan can settle all their outstanding problems by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations. The framework of the "Composite Dialogue” through which the two countries are engaging each other not only deals with issues of confidence-building and people-to-people contacts, but also addresses the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and peace and security. There is an agreed calendar of discussions on topics and an agreed mechanism for taking stock, reviewing progress and agreeing on further measures.We have been able to develop a degree of mutual trust and confidence to short out all outstanding issues amicably.  As for Indo-Iranian relations and India's stance towards the developments of the Iranian nuclear file, the Indian Ambassador indicated that India and Iran share a historical relationship, often described as "civilizational relationship". We have maintained that all sides must work to find mutually acceptable compromise solutions, and that confrontation should be avoided at all costs. He indicated that India has been supportive of the initiative taken by the international community to engage Iran in finding an amicable solution to the current situation and believes that while dealing with this issue, it is important to develop as broad an international consensus as possible. We remain hopeful that solutions acceptable to all sides will be found. About his country's stance toward the intervention by western countries in the internal affairs of other countries in the name of democracy, the Indian Ambassador pointed out that India’s experience in nation-building over the past six decades has been characterised by its Constitution that guarantees legally enforceable fundamental rights, and by the building up of sound democratic traditions and institutions that promote respect for pluralism, diversity and tolerance. India is committed to international co-operation for the promotion and protection of human rights and to sharing our democratic experience with any country that seeks it by helping in capacity-building and setting up democratic institutions. At the same time, India has been against selectivity, double-standards and prescriptive and punitive approaches of intrusive monitoring and finger-pointing. India believes that dialogue, consultation and co-operative approaches involving capacity-building and training will lead to more sustained and productive results.

 

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