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Jyoti Malhotra
NEW DELHI, Dec 1: Having tasted blood in the Assembly elections, the Opposition is also getting ready to test the government on crucial foreign policy issues, such as the Indo-US dialogue and India's discussions with Pakistan.
Former prime Minister I K Gujral has, in his capacity as chairman of the standing committee of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), called a meeting tomorrow on Pakistan. Next week, he intends to schedule one on the government's so-called ``secret talks'' with Washington.
``The government has not taken us into confidence on either of these isssues. The nation doesn't know what is going on. In fact, it is Strobe Talbott, the US deputy secretary of state, who has through a recent newspaper article informed us about the negotiations between India and the US,'' Gujral said.
On its part, the government has been defending its relative lack of action on taking the Opposition into confidence, by saying that if it reveals the character of the negotiations with the US it will only be``weakening'' its own hand. ``Going public now, especially when the dialogue is coming to a head, is not the right strategy,'' ministry officials said.
Evidently, one attempt to talk to Opposition leaders was made in mid-September, on the eve of Vajpayee's trip to the UN. From the Congress, Sharad Pawar, Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee, and I K Gujral from the Janata Dal, were invited. Leaders from the Left parties couldn't come because they weren't in town.
The Prime Minister ``painted a very rosy picture'' about the dialogue with the US, one leader who was present at the meeting, said. The US was not only reconciled to the fact that India would keep its nuclear weapons, but also that the missile programme would continue. New Delhi's chief negotiator with the US, Jaswant Singh, and Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra were also present at the briefing.
In response, the head of the Congress' foreign affairs cell K Natwar Singh, wrote to the PM, saying he should share his information with theparliamentary committees dealing with external affairs. Sonia Gandhi also telephoned various people asking what they thought of the PM's briefing.
By calling now for information on Pakistan and the US, Gujral seems to be signalling the Opposition's intention to attack the government on its foreign policy. ``We intend to seek a debate in Parliament. We must know what is going on. Pakistan has told its own people about the latest round of discussions, but the Indian people have not been informed,'' Gujral said.
The government is also said to be planning to respond to the Opposition criticism, especially on the Indo-US dialogue. Meanwhile, ministry officials will be in attendance to answer the standing committee tomorrow on the state of play with Pakistan.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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