Press
Briefing Tuesday, 1st December 2009
Shri.
Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.
Shri. Abhishek Singhvi said that the Congress party
applauds, welcomes and is extremely happy about the
diverse achievements during the recent foreign trip of
the Hon’ble Prime Minister to the United States and to
CHOGM. We want to emphasize that India’s point of view
has not only been put forth in a strong and
comprehensive manner but has been understood, imbibed
and absorbed. This is a unique meeting of the minds,
this is a special deepening of the relationship and it
is a reaffirmation of our old agreements including e.g:
123 agreement and a springboard for several new
initiatives. In particular, it is with deep satisfaction
that we note that India and US have made it crystal
clear that terrorism is a common threat to the globe and
to global peace. That it is non-negotiable in any form
at any time in any region. In particular, and this is
significant they have in writing noted the grave threat
arising to India from terrorism and violent extremism
originating from India’s neighborhood and I repeat the
word India’s neighborhood. That is a quote from joint
declaration. Again, there has been a specific
endorsement of the approach, actions of India, role of
India in Afghanistan, India’s reconstruction role in
Afghanistan in particular and a declaration of a common
intention to have peace and stability in Afghanistan,
which followed upon US at Washington DC among other
things reiterated India’s stand cleared and unequivocal
on climate change and as you know CHOGM was not supposed
to be a preemption of Copenhagen. Therefore there was no
need to elaborate on these issues at CHOGM. At the
INDO-US front, the other significant aspect was the very
special declaration of the counter-terrorism
co-operation initiative and counter-terrorism has been
given a very categorical and special place in the
discussion in the joint declaration and it is based upon
both information gathering and capacity building Defence
co-operation not only the multifarious connecting points
already going on will be deepened and reinforced but
several new connecting points have been identified. In a
nutshell, this is an extremely productive, intense, a
very harmonious and an extremely fruitful visit in terms
of not only carrying the relationship further but being
a springboard for several new initiatives. It is not
without significance as the President of the USA
repeatedly said that the Indian head of government is
the first state visit he has hosted on US soil and the
hope and trust that this is only a part of the
full-length story.
On a further question on the absence of certain MPs
during the question hour today also, Shri Singhvi said
that no party would like their MPs to be absent. The
entire nation is looking towards us but nobody does it
intentionally.
On another related question as to whether the Congress
party has asked for any list of the absentees, Shri
Singhvi said that we have our own established internal
procedure. When the people who are themselves involved
are not supporting, justifying or explaining what
happened, it is something which should not happen and is
regrettable and it is a rare aberration. It is
unfortunate but I don’t think we need to go into other
details. We have our own mechanism and I think a hint is
enough to everybody.
On further being asked whether Congress party President
has expressed her concern about the people not taking
part in parliament discussion and whether she is taking
any steps to avoid this situation in future, Shri
Singhvi said that he has already explained the position
of the Congress party while replying to other related
questions. Shri Singhvi further added that if the party
consciously takes a decision on the absentees from
parliament, consequences can be very severe. So, please
don’t think that responsible parliamentarians are
irresponsible, they are not and don’t assume things, we
have our own mechanism to deal with the situation.
When asked about BJP’s remark that government should be
more sensitive towards the safety of nuclear plants,
Shri Singhvi said that government has already offered
its explanation on this issue.
On the question of the reaction of the Congress party on
the statement of Lt. Governor of Chandigarh, Shri
Singhvi said that he does not have any facts to comment.
This is a matter between the Home Ministry, the
Administrator and the relevant persons and he thinks
that there is no such great issue/crisis. Everything has
been sorted out between the Ministry and the
Administrator.
When asked about the on-going violence in Andhra Pradesh
over Telangana issue, Shri Singhvi said that it is an
old issue and much has been said in this regard. Nobody
should derive any political mileage by taking extreme
steps on this issue and our stand is very clear that
unless there is a consensus on the issue, no decision
can be taken.
On being asked about the non-satisfactory behaviour of
Shri Pranab Mukherjee in Rajya Sabha today, Shri Singhvi
said that nobody even in both the houses can match the
stature and the experience of what Shri Pranab Mukherjee
is carrying and he is one of the most respected and old
parliamentarian.
Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC
