When I visited Nepal in 1976 I raised this question with the highest authorities in Nepal and a letter of intent was exchanged between the foreign secretaries. When the present foreign minister visited Nepal, he also made mention on his return about further progress having been made on the river projects. The Government should concentrate on this aspect. If India wants to have good relations with Nepal, goodwill visits are not enough. I have nothing against goodwill visits. Personal contacts with the leaders of other countries are to be welcomed, but one should be sure about one's priorities. The test of good relationship will depend on the attitude of the country concerned on major issues. The river project was mentioned because it is a major issue that has to be solved. The foreign ministry and the foreign minister should go into the priorities when they take up for discussion relations with Nepal.
The Government has informed the House that India's relations with Bangladesh are good. Certainly it was so during the previous regime also. As a matter of fact Bangladesh emerged as a result of the previous regime's contribution to the whole process. One cannot forget history. We are now told that the relations have improved because the new Government has given them more water — more water at the cost of the welfare of poor Calcutta. I sympathise with my friends from West Bengal. The test of good relationship would have to be applied with wider perspective, with the knowledge of the attitude of Bangladesh towards the question of refugees corning over to India and the question of treatment of the minorities in Bangladesh. All these are important questions. If one forgets them and declares from the house-top that India's relations with the neighbours have improved in the last two years, one is deceiving oneself.
China's World View
China is India's important neighbour. I was not against Vajpayee's visit to China. I think it was good the Minister went to China. Referring to his visit to China, the foreign minister had jocularly said in a television interview that he would not go even to God, if God did not to invite him but that if Satan invited him he would go to Satan! Nobody can go to God without an invitation, and I personally wish that Vajpayee does not go to God for a long time to come. I would also advise him however to be careful of Satan. Do not rush to him only because an invitation is received.
