ID :
157014
Wed, 01/12/2011 - 20:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/157014
The shortlink copeid
India, Pak can't live in perpetual tension: Pranab
PRANAB
New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Citing the collapse of the Berlin
Wall that unified Germany, Indian Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee has said that differences between India and Pakistan
may be resolved one day since the two cannot wish each other
away and live in "perpetual tension".
"I do not have the capacity to indulge in the romanticism
that like Berlin Wall, one day the differences may go. How the
course of history will take turn, nobody can predict with that
precision. It may happen", he said here in the Indian capital
last night at the launch of eminent journalist M J Akbar's
book "Tinderbox--The Past and Future of Pakistan".
He said the collapse of the Berlin Wall and formation of
the European Union were not foreseen but took place.
"Yes, the Berlin Wall collapsed. Yes, the EU has come
together, which began with a limited approach and objective of
having some trade relations. It has united...side by side
there are other examples also which we have seen with our own
eyes- how a mighty unified structure (Soviet Union) has
collapsed just after seven decades.
"How a composite state created after the second World War
has dismembered into three or four states within a short span
of 10-15 years," Mukherjee said.
The senior Congress leader said one can be selective in
choosing friends but not neighbours.
"Most of us will agree that we cannot wish away our
neighbours. We can choose our friends, we can be selective in
choosing our friends....But neighbours are there where they
are. I cannot simply wish them away. Those days are gone when
one could have displaced them by force," Mukherjee said.
Describing Pakistan as India's "most important"
neighbour, he said, "The stability and well-being of Pakistan"
is in the interest of this country as the two could not
develop and prosper in isolation today.
"The basic question before every Indian policy-maker is
whether we should live with our neighbour in perpetual tension
or try to live in peace. And fortunately, there is a broad
consensus across the political spectrum on these issues,"
Mukherjee said.
The senior Congress leader said the two neighbouring
countries may have "insurmountable problems" but Pakistan was
India's "most important neighbour".
"It is essential if we have to deal with our neighbour,
we have to know what they are, who they are," Mukherjee said.
"I do not believe a nation state can simply wither,"
Mukherjee said, in an apparent reference to apprehensions
often expressed about the future of Pakistan as a nation. PTI
RC
SAK
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New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Citing the collapse of the Berlin
Wall that unified Germany, Indian Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee has said that differences between India and Pakistan
may be resolved one day since the two cannot wish each other
away and live in "perpetual tension".
"I do not have the capacity to indulge in the romanticism
that like Berlin Wall, one day the differences may go. How the
course of history will take turn, nobody can predict with that
precision. It may happen", he said here in the Indian capital
last night at the launch of eminent journalist M J Akbar's
book "Tinderbox--The Past and Future of Pakistan".
He said the collapse of the Berlin Wall and formation of
the European Union were not foreseen but took place.
"Yes, the Berlin Wall collapsed. Yes, the EU has come
together, which began with a limited approach and objective of
having some trade relations. It has united...side by side
there are other examples also which we have seen with our own
eyes- how a mighty unified structure (Soviet Union) has
collapsed just after seven decades.
"How a composite state created after the second World War
has dismembered into three or four states within a short span
of 10-15 years," Mukherjee said.
The senior Congress leader said one can be selective in
choosing friends but not neighbours.
"Most of us will agree that we cannot wish away our
neighbours. We can choose our friends, we can be selective in
choosing our friends....But neighbours are there where they
are. I cannot simply wish them away. Those days are gone when
one could have displaced them by force," Mukherjee said.
Describing Pakistan as India's "most important"
neighbour, he said, "The stability and well-being of Pakistan"
is in the interest of this country as the two could not
develop and prosper in isolation today.
"The basic question before every Indian policy-maker is
whether we should live with our neighbour in perpetual tension
or try to live in peace. And fortunately, there is a broad
consensus across the political spectrum on these issues,"
Mukherjee said.
The senior Congress leader said the two neighbouring
countries may have "insurmountable problems" but Pakistan was
India's "most important neighbour".
"It is essential if we have to deal with our neighbour,
we have to know what they are, who they are," Mukherjee said.
"I do not believe a nation state can simply wither,"
Mukherjee said, in an apparent reference to apprehensions
often expressed about the future of Pakistan as a nation. PTI
RC
SAK
The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain
proprietary, confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify
the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments
contained in it.
Delete & Prev | Delete & Next
