We know that our relations with Pakistan have somewhat improved but the process started during the regime of the last government. At the time of Bangladesh there was war. After that war there was a new phase and then came the Simla Agreement and thereafter a series of agreements were entered into between Pakistan and India; bilaterally the relationship was being improved. The Principle of bilateralism is a very important principle not only in regard to the neighbouring countries but also with regard to other countries in the world. We will have to emphasis the bilateral aspect of the relationship and work more and more for it. I am glad that the new government has carried on that process forward. But do not be under the impression that you have got some little more agreement and therefore everything is all right, because let us see what Pakistan is doing. Only other day we were trying to know from the government what Pakistan were doing in the nuclear field, what new agreement they have reached with China and France and other countries, what were their intention and so on. We will have to be constantly vigilant about their intentions, about their preparations. etc.
With Nepal our relations were always good. They had some misgivings about certain aspects, they were interested in some sort of a separate transit agreement. If you showed weakness and gave them two agreements instead of one agreement in respect of trade, and an agreement for transit, I tell you, please take care; these are dangerous seeds; you are trying to become unrealistic about the relationship with our neighbours. Small, they are. But I know we should take into consideration the complex in their mind about our bigness in size. I am prepared to concede that position, that we should be rather considerate in these matters. But in this, let us not get swept off our feet and go on accepting unreasonable things.
If you ask me, what is the criterion of good relation and friendliness, I will say the real test of friendliness is, what they are going to do about the common river projects for Nepal and India. Every year when we discuss the agricultural demands, we discuss the question of floods in this country Floods in the north are mostly there because we have not been successful in working our river project with Nepal. We have raised this question many times; there had been some goody goody response to it but nothing further is there, it is making no progress. I remember in 1976 when I visited Nepal we had an opportunity to raise this question with the highest authorities in Nepal and a letter of intent was exchanged between the two foreign secretaries. I remember that when the present foreign minister visited Nepal, on return from Nepal he also made some mention about certain further progress being made about the river projects. I would say, concentrate on that. If you want to have good relations between Nepal and India, merely having goodwill visits is not enough. Certainly we should have goodwill visits. I have nothing against them. It is a good thing because that also helps. Personal contacts with the leadership of any country is a good thing. So far so good, as far as goodwill visits are concerned. But let us see, What are our priorities of relationship. Merely having goodwill visits is not the final test. The real test of good relationship is, what is going to be the attitude on more important aspects. Therefore, I mentioned these river projects. I am sure the Foreign Ministry and the Foreign Minister, while taking up our relations with Nepal, look into it the real priorities.
With Bangladesh, they say our relations are good. Certainly the relations with Bangladesh were certainly good in the previous regime also. As a matter of fact, Bangladesh got its birth because of the previous regime’s contribution to the whole process. You cannot forget history. (Interruption).
