Delhi knocked out over China
Asia Times Online
16 November 2005
South Asia
Delhi knocked out over China
By Siddharth Srivastava
NEW DELHI - India for a long time has taken for granted its primacy
in the Indian sub-continent comprising Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan,
Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The notion was rudely shaken at the
13th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit
that concluded this week in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Playing the spoiler in the region (for India, that is) is China,
which is very keen to nose its way into the affairs of the sub-
continent, with other nations willing to play ball in order to
counter New Delhi's perceived overbearing presence.
Consider how events unfolded.
On the eve of the summit it was a foregone conclusion that
Afghanistan would become the eighth member of the SAARC
grouping, a move strongly backed by Pakistan, before the China factor
came into play. India's Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said: "Before
we came to Dhaka, we had come prepared for allowing the membership of
Afghanistan to SAARC ... but there was also another application, and
that from China, to be associated in some cooperative manner with
SAARC."
However, matters took a different turn when Nepal's King Gyanendra,
who is increasingly leaning on Beijing for moral and logistical
support against the Maoist insurgents and the pro-democracy movements
in his country, linked the inclusion of Afghanistan to China's
application to be associated with SAARC. This held up the consensus
on Afghanistan for two days before the final announcement of Kabul's
entry. Under the SAARC charter, new admissions to the regional
grouping require consensus of member states.
It became apparent during the course of the summit that India was not
too keen on an early entry for China into the seven-nation grouping,
either as an observer or a dialogue partner, arguing strongly against
Beijing's inclusion being clubbed with Afghanistan. India supports
Kabul as a member of SAARC as it opens a window of opportunity to
minimize the influence of Pakistan in the affairs of Afghanistan.
Failing to find much support on China, India cited procedural delays
to Beijing being included, saying these could only be ironed out
during a special session of the standing committee of the
organization, which will be convened early in 2006.
To India's surprise, the reasoning against an immediate inclusion of
China found support only from Bhutan, which does not have any
diplomatic relations with Beijing. Perhaps sensing India's
discomfiture on the issue, the five other members of SAARC, namely
Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, made it apparent
that they preferred China's immediate association.
Given the recent positive engagement between Thimpu (capital of
Bhutan) and Beijing, it will be a matter of time before Bhutan jumps
to join the chorus favoring China. The writing was there for New
Delhi to see: that the Indian sub-continent that comprises nations on
the south of the Himalayas will no longer be its own backyard, with
the smaller powers wresting for the influence of Beijing.
"We have agreed to induct Afghanistan as a new member. We also
welcome China and Japan as observers since they have shown interest,"
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at a news conference at the
conclusion of the summit, setting at rest uncertainty over
Afghanistan's inclusion as well as over the nature of China's
involvement in SAARC. "Afghanistan is very close to us. It is now in
our group."
Saran later clarified India's stand, "The standing committee meeting
of the council of ministers of SAARC will finalize the status of
China and Japan while it is now only for Afghanistan to sign an
agreement of the SAARC charter and join as a member."
Echoing the views of other member countries, Pakistan Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz said the inclusion of Afghanistan would "undoubtedly
enrich our organization and add to its strength". On China, he said,
"We welcome the interest of our friend and neighbor to be associated
with the organization as an observer or dialogue partner." It may be
recalled that China and Pakistan have enjoyed close military
relations and that China is often accused of planning Islamabad's
nuclear arsenal.
Aziz later told a Pakistani daily newspaper that Islamabad would push
for full SAARC membership for China. "If and when the issue of
inducting China as a full member comes up in SAARC, Pakistan would
strongly support it because it sees the organization as an inclusive
one, which must be strengthened by greater institutionalization."
Various media reports have quoted Pakistani officials who have
claimed credit, along with Nepal, for trying to secure observer
status for Beijing and accused India of "blocking" the move. Giving
an indication of the behind-the-scene parleys, Pakistan Foreign
Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan said a couple of delegations had raised
technical issues to requests of both Afghanistan and China. Without
naming any country (which everybody knew was India), Khan said
"reservations" were voiced mainly on account of first settling
guidelines for granting such a status before considering such a request.
A comment in the Indian Express newspaper reads: "Chinese interest in
South Asian multilateralism, however, is only the icing on top of a
layered but powerful engagement with the sub-continent. Like in all
its other neighboring regions, China is keen to deepen its cross-
border economic and transportation links with South Asia. India can
hardly object to that, given China's long border with the sub-
continent. Just as Beijing cannot stop India from developing abiding
economic and political links with China's neighbors elsewhere in
Asia, Delhi should not smugly believe it could forever keep China out
of the sub-continent. While India's relations with each of its South
Asian neighbors is weighed down by a different degree of complexity,
China has had a free hand in expanding economic, political and
military links with them."
Indeed, the differences over China are a reflection of the individual
distrust that exists between nations, chiefly India and Pakistan,
that has also prevented substantial economic integration in the
region. It remains to be seen whether the SAARC nations will be able
to iron out differences to bring into force the South Asian Free
Trade Area (SAFTA) on January 1, despite the pledges at Dhaka.
"SAARC is mired in conflict, you cannot deny it," Aziz told a news
conference. "The truth is we need to take issues head-on and come up
with solutions, whether it's Pakistan-India or any other countries in
the region."
Raking up the bilateral issue of Kashmir, which is against the
multilateral charter of SAARC, Aziz reiterated: "We must make
progress on Kashmir and then move in parallel on other issues. We do
not subscribe to the view that let's do everything else and Kashmir
will resolve itself. For sustainable peace, we must address Kashmir."
In response, addressing a news conference, Manmohan said Pakistan was
still not doing enough to dismantle the terror outfits operating from
its soil. "There has been some reduction. But, unfortunately, we feel
all that needs to be done has not been done." In a pointed reference
to Pakistan and India's anxiety on the matter, Manmohan said, "India
could choose its friends but not its neighbors."
On the recent Delhi triple blasts that killed more than 70 people, he
said "available clues did suggest external linkages" of the terrorist
outfits involved in the incident. But he refrained from saying
anything substantial since investigations are underway.
"We have to do business with the Pakistan government," he said.
"There is a trust deficit between the two countries but it's our
obligation to convert it into a surplus. Nothing great is achieved by
using harsh language in full public glare." Manmohan has also ruled
out any demilitarization or troop-reduction in Indian Kashmir until
cross-border terrorism is stopped.
Siddharth Srivastava is a New Delhi-based journalist.
16 November 2005
South Asia
Delhi knocked out over China
By Siddharth Srivastava
NEW DELHI - India for a long time has taken for granted its primacy
in the Indian sub-continent comprising Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan,
Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The notion was rudely shaken at the
13th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit
that concluded this week in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Playing the spoiler in the region (for India, that is) is China,
which is very keen to nose its way into the affairs of the sub-
continent, with other nations willing to play ball in order to
counter New Delhi's perceived overbearing presence.
Consider how events unfolded.
On the eve of the summit it was a foregone conclusion that
Afghanistan would become the eighth member of the SAARC
grouping, a move strongly backed by Pakistan, before the China factor
came into play. India's Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said: "Before
we came to Dhaka, we had come prepared for allowing the membership of
Afghanistan to SAARC ... but there was also another application, and
that from China, to be associated in some cooperative manner with
SAARC."
However, matters took a different turn when Nepal's King Gyanendra,
who is increasingly leaning on Beijing for moral and logistical
support against the Maoist insurgents and the pro-democracy movements
in his country, linked the inclusion of Afghanistan to China's
application to be associated with SAARC. This held up the consensus
on Afghanistan for two days before the final announcement of Kabul's
entry. Under the SAARC charter, new admissions to the regional
grouping require consensus of member states.
It became apparent during the course of the summit that India was not
too keen on an early entry for China into the seven-nation grouping,
either as an observer or a dialogue partner, arguing strongly against
Beijing's inclusion being clubbed with Afghanistan. India supports
Kabul as a member of SAARC as it opens a window of opportunity to
minimize the influence of Pakistan in the affairs of Afghanistan.
Failing to find much support on China, India cited procedural delays
to Beijing being included, saying these could only be ironed out
during a special session of the standing committee of the
organization, which will be convened early in 2006.
To India's surprise, the reasoning against an immediate inclusion of
China found support only from Bhutan, which does not have any
diplomatic relations with Beijing. Perhaps sensing India's
discomfiture on the issue, the five other members of SAARC, namely
Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, made it apparent
that they preferred China's immediate association.
Given the recent positive engagement between Thimpu (capital of
Bhutan) and Beijing, it will be a matter of time before Bhutan jumps
to join the chorus favoring China. The writing was there for New
Delhi to see: that the Indian sub-continent that comprises nations on
the south of the Himalayas will no longer be its own backyard, with
the smaller powers wresting for the influence of Beijing.
"We have agreed to induct Afghanistan as a new member. We also
welcome China and Japan as observers since they have shown interest,"
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at a news conference at the
conclusion of the summit, setting at rest uncertainty over
Afghanistan's inclusion as well as over the nature of China's
involvement in SAARC. "Afghanistan is very close to us. It is now in
our group."
Saran later clarified India's stand, "The standing committee meeting
of the council of ministers of SAARC will finalize the status of
China and Japan while it is now only for Afghanistan to sign an
agreement of the SAARC charter and join as a member."
Echoing the views of other member countries, Pakistan Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz said the inclusion of Afghanistan would "undoubtedly
enrich our organization and add to its strength". On China, he said,
"We welcome the interest of our friend and neighbor to be associated
with the organization as an observer or dialogue partner." It may be
recalled that China and Pakistan have enjoyed close military
relations and that China is often accused of planning Islamabad's
nuclear arsenal.
Aziz later told a Pakistani daily newspaper that Islamabad would push
for full SAARC membership for China. "If and when the issue of
inducting China as a full member comes up in SAARC, Pakistan would
strongly support it because it sees the organization as an inclusive
one, which must be strengthened by greater institutionalization."
Various media reports have quoted Pakistani officials who have
claimed credit, along with Nepal, for trying to secure observer
status for Beijing and accused India of "blocking" the move. Giving
an indication of the behind-the-scene parleys, Pakistan Foreign
Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan said a couple of delegations had raised
technical issues to requests of both Afghanistan and China. Without
naming any country (which everybody knew was India), Khan said
"reservations" were voiced mainly on account of first settling
guidelines for granting such a status before considering such a request.
A comment in the Indian Express newspaper reads: "Chinese interest in
South Asian multilateralism, however, is only the icing on top of a
layered but powerful engagement with the sub-continent. Like in all
its other neighboring regions, China is keen to deepen its cross-
border economic and transportation links with South Asia. India can
hardly object to that, given China's long border with the sub-
continent. Just as Beijing cannot stop India from developing abiding
economic and political links with China's neighbors elsewhere in
Asia, Delhi should not smugly believe it could forever keep China out
of the sub-continent. While India's relations with each of its South
Asian neighbors is weighed down by a different degree of complexity,
China has had a free hand in expanding economic, political and
military links with them."
Indeed, the differences over China are a reflection of the individual
distrust that exists between nations, chiefly India and Pakistan,
that has also prevented substantial economic integration in the
region. It remains to be seen whether the SAARC nations will be able
to iron out differences to bring into force the South Asian Free
Trade Area (SAFTA) on January 1, despite the pledges at Dhaka.
"SAARC is mired in conflict, you cannot deny it," Aziz told a news
conference. "The truth is we need to take issues head-on and come up
with solutions, whether it's Pakistan-India or any other countries in
the region."
Raking up the bilateral issue of Kashmir, which is against the
multilateral charter of SAARC, Aziz reiterated: "We must make
progress on Kashmir and then move in parallel on other issues. We do
not subscribe to the view that let's do everything else and Kashmir
will resolve itself. For sustainable peace, we must address Kashmir."
In response, addressing a news conference, Manmohan said Pakistan was
still not doing enough to dismantle the terror outfits operating from
its soil. "There has been some reduction. But, unfortunately, we feel
all that needs to be done has not been done." In a pointed reference
to Pakistan and India's anxiety on the matter, Manmohan said, "India
could choose its friends but not its neighbors."
On the recent Delhi triple blasts that killed more than 70 people, he
said "available clues did suggest external linkages" of the terrorist
outfits involved in the incident. But he refrained from saying
anything substantial since investigations are underway.
"We have to do business with the Pakistan government," he said.
"There is a trust deficit between the two countries but it's our
obligation to convert it into a surplus. Nothing great is achieved by
using harsh language in full public glare." Manmohan has also ruled
out any demilitarization or troop-reduction in Indian Kashmir until
cross-border terrorism is stopped.
Siddharth Srivastava is a New Delhi-based journalist.
Anwar launches social movement to fight corruption
scmp - Monday, November 14, 2005
BARADAN KUPPUSAMY in Kuala Lumpur
Opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim is launching a new social movement in a bid to fire up public opposition against official corruption and to demand an independent judiciary and free media.
The movement called the Democratic Movement against Corruption, or Gerak in its Malay acronym, will be officially launched on Friday. It is multi-racial and apolitical and hopes to win support across Malaysian society.
Gerak's mandate will be to put pressure on Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to arrest corrupt politicians, rid his cabinet of Mahathir-era loyalists and repeal laws that curtail fundamental liberties and press freedom, especially the Internal Security Act that allows for indefinite detention of suspects without trial.
It will also monitor Petronas, the national oil corporation to ensure profits are not misused.
Mr Anwar, who is barred from holding public office until 2008 because of a conviction for corruption, will not head the movement.
It will be temporarily led by Ezam Mohamad Noor, his chief political lieutenant and head of the youth wing of his National Justice party.
"I will temporarily lead the movement until we find a suitable person of standing and integrity to takeover," Mr Ezam said when announcing the formation of Gerak on Saturday.
But it is understood Mr Anwar will be the driving force behind Gerak."Gerak will campaign for an independent anti-corruption institution answerable only to Parliament," Mr Ezam said, adding the movement would collaborate with all political parties and interest groups.
Mr Ezam, who was previously Mr Anwar's political secretary, was jailed without trial for organising a protest against Mr Anwar's imprisonment.
He said the fact Gerak was a social movement meant it would not be hampered by the restrictions imposed on opposition political parties.
"We have more freedom to mobilise public support for our programmes," he said.
Political analysts say if Gerak succeeds it will be a powerful force for social change.
"It might just be the public force Abdullah has wanted to help him overcome entrenched opposition to change," human rights activist Elisabeth Wong said.
BARADAN KUPPUSAMY in Kuala Lumpur
Opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim is launching a new social movement in a bid to fire up public opposition against official corruption and to demand an independent judiciary and free media.
The movement called the Democratic Movement against Corruption, or Gerak in its Malay acronym, will be officially launched on Friday. It is multi-racial and apolitical and hopes to win support across Malaysian society.
Gerak's mandate will be to put pressure on Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to arrest corrupt politicians, rid his cabinet of Mahathir-era loyalists and repeal laws that curtail fundamental liberties and press freedom, especially the Internal Security Act that allows for indefinite detention of suspects without trial.
It will also monitor Petronas, the national oil corporation to ensure profits are not misused.
Mr Anwar, who is barred from holding public office until 2008 because of a conviction for corruption, will not head the movement.
It will be temporarily led by Ezam Mohamad Noor, his chief political lieutenant and head of the youth wing of his National Justice party.
"I will temporarily lead the movement until we find a suitable person of standing and integrity to takeover," Mr Ezam said when announcing the formation of Gerak on Saturday.
But it is understood Mr Anwar will be the driving force behind Gerak."Gerak will campaign for an independent anti-corruption institution answerable only to Parliament," Mr Ezam said, adding the movement would collaborate with all political parties and interest groups.
Mr Ezam, who was previously Mr Anwar's political secretary, was jailed without trial for organising a protest against Mr Anwar's imprisonment.
He said the fact Gerak was a social movement meant it would not be hampered by the restrictions imposed on opposition political parties.
"We have more freedom to mobilise public support for our programmes," he said.
Political analysts say if Gerak succeeds it will be a powerful force for social change.
"It might just be the public force Abdullah has wanted to help him overcome entrenched opposition to change," human rights activist Elisabeth Wong said.
Tibet to benefit economically within China: Dalai Lama
scmp - Monday, November 14, 2005
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE in Washington
Updated at 1.53pm:
The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, said overnight (HK time) that the Himalayan kingdom should remain within China for the sake of the territory’s economic development.
But the 70-year-old leader said the Tibetan people themselves would have to determine their future if China continued to deny them “meaningful” autonomy.
“If Chinese government provides us meaningful autonomy, self law, then it is in our own interest to remain within the People’s Republic of China,” said the Dalai Lama, who has lived in India since he fled Chinese troops in 1959, basing his government-in-exile in the northern Indian hilltop town of Dharamsala.
“As far as economic development is concerned, we’ll get immense benefit” if Tibet remained as part of China, he told a 16,000 strong gathering in Washington, where he is on 10-day visit that included talks with US President George W. Bush.
“Tibet is economically backward although spiritually highly advanced. But spiritual [strength] alone cannot fill our stomach. So we need economic development,” the Dalai Lama said.
“If this approach should fail, then of course it is up to the Tibetan people — I’m going to ask the Tibetan people what to do,” the Dalai Lama.
Beijing formally established a Tibetan Autonomous Region in 1965 but the Dalai Lama has said there is no genuine autonomy and has been waging a non-violent campaign to press the mainland to provide greater rights for his six million people.
China sees its occupation of Tibet since 1950 as a liberation of the region that has saved the Tibetan people from feudal oppression.
The Dalai Lama, a Nobel Laureate, said that “ultimately the Tibetan people —not me — would decide.”
A random survey in Tibet several years ago showed the people wanted to remain within the mainland, but demanded genuine autonomy, he said.
The gathering overnight included hundreds of Himalayan, Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhists who came to the US capital to belatedly mark the Dalai Lama’s 70th birthday on July 6.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE in Washington
Updated at 1.53pm:
The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, said overnight (HK time) that the Himalayan kingdom should remain within China for the sake of the territory’s economic development.
But the 70-year-old leader said the Tibetan people themselves would have to determine their future if China continued to deny them “meaningful” autonomy.
“If Chinese government provides us meaningful autonomy, self law, then it is in our own interest to remain within the People’s Republic of China,” said the Dalai Lama, who has lived in India since he fled Chinese troops in 1959, basing his government-in-exile in the northern Indian hilltop town of Dharamsala.
“As far as economic development is concerned, we’ll get immense benefit” if Tibet remained as part of China, he told a 16,000 strong gathering in Washington, where he is on 10-day visit that included talks with US President George W. Bush.
“Tibet is economically backward although spiritually highly advanced. But spiritual [strength] alone cannot fill our stomach. So we need economic development,” the Dalai Lama said.
“If this approach should fail, then of course it is up to the Tibetan people — I’m going to ask the Tibetan people what to do,” the Dalai Lama.
Beijing formally established a Tibetan Autonomous Region in 1965 but the Dalai Lama has said there is no genuine autonomy and has been waging a non-violent campaign to press the mainland to provide greater rights for his six million people.
China sees its occupation of Tibet since 1950 as a liberation of the region that has saved the Tibetan people from feudal oppression.
The Dalai Lama, a Nobel Laureate, said that “ultimately the Tibetan people —not me — would decide.”
A random survey in Tibet several years ago showed the people wanted to remain within the mainland, but demanded genuine autonomy, he said.
The gathering overnight included hundreds of Himalayan, Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhists who came to the US capital to belatedly mark the Dalai Lama’s 70th birthday on July 6.
