Egypt enjoys a leadership role in the Mid-East and has been prominently engaged in Israel-Palestine peace talks. With its economy growing at 7.5 per cent after liberlisation and economic and political reforms,it is a key country in the Arab world.Bilateral relations between India and Egypt have always been most cordial. In an exclusive interview with Arti Bali, HE Khaled El Bakly Ambassador of Egypt to India speaks on various issues.
Excerpts of the interview :
Q: How you are going to boost trade relations between India and Egpyt?
Ans ; The bilateral trade between India and Egypt is on the upswing.Both the countries are focusing on enhancing the bilateral trade to reach a turnover of US $ 5 billion by 2010.The Egyptian exports mainly cover pertrochemicals , oil and gas to which India is already making huge investments.Egypt is desirous of having partnerships in the field of IT with India. We invite the Indian private companies to invest in our country. Around 25 ministerial level meetings took p-lace over the past three years. This was coupled with an important increase in the economic trade and investment figures between our two countries..We also observed an important increase in cultural exchanges.
Q : What is the level of cooperation between the two countries on global issues?
Ans: India and Egypt have enjoyed exceptionally close relations since Nehru-Nasser era and were founding members of Non-Aligned Movement.Egypt and India are now supportive of each other in various global forums like climate change, Doha talks, UNSC reforms and there is a great convergence of interests.
Q Egypt is undertaking a comprehensive economic reform and stabilizing programme. Tell us about the implications and parameters ?
Ans Many of the Arab countries have been going through economic and political reforms for many years ,.Egypt has been focusing on stabilizing the economy improving public finance and exchange rate policies and stabilizing inflation.These reforms have been achieved through policy changes,educational and other measures aiming at the improvement of economic and social welfare.
Q What is your opinion about the Israel-Palestine peace talks?
Ans : The success of these peace talks will depends on firm commitments from both sides to uphold the credibility of the process.Israel’s relentless settlement expansion, which has seriously eroded the prospects for a two state solution must cease, together with its closure of Gaza. For their part, the Palestinians must continue to develop their institutional capacity while overcoming their division to achieve their aspirations for statehood..Even Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit has said that if Israel does not respect the settlements freeze the Arab League will study some other option aside from the peace process such as going to the United Nations and ask for the recognition of the Palestinian state.
Q How you are going to promote tourism between the two countries?
Ans Egypt is set to welcome Indians to their homeland ,cradle of civilization that represents one of the world’s longest recorded histories visible in its Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Christian, Islamic and modern monuments. Tourism figures prominently among the priorities of the Egyptian government the sector is not only the second most important source of foreign currency but is also a major job generating industry.
Oct 24, 2010
Fallout of Wikileaks
A recent wikileaks posting online on their website of a huge quantity of 77000 (out of about 92000 gathered by them) classified military documents of war in Afghanistan showing dubious role played by ISI in providing vital information , material and even direct funding to the Taliban insurgents at critical moments of war while Pakistan was fighting as an ally of US-led forces has put the authorities in US and Pakistan in an embarrassing position .
Such double games are being seen as the main cause contributing to the failure of US led war in eradicating terrorism in Afghanistan .Consequently Afghanistan fails to achieve stability, build up requisite government structures and enforce the constitution to carry out development works.
AIMS OF DOUBLE GAME
Aims of Pakistan in these double game are obviously more sinister than mere over-shadowing Afghanistan.They are instead working overtime to keep Afghan society skewed towards extreme fundamentalism that can be easily subverted and employed as proxies against India or to sponsor terrorism globally.With this end in view ISI is trying hard to bargain out a role or share of power to the Taliban and Haqqani networks in the power sharing arrangement in Afghanistan after the US exits the scene. In fact Taliban and Haqqani networks are sought to be kept dormant under ISI influence that can be activated at times to suit their objectives .
The approach adopted by Pakistan basically tends to weaken nationalism in Afghanistan that is otherwise direly needed to lend identity and due place of prominence to the country recovering from instability and political turmoil in this region. Afghan President had been recently seen making worrisome quests in Islamabad for bring normalacy in his country even to the extent of conceding influence to ISI and Pakistan army over matters relating to striking relationship with various factions of Taliban and Afghan warlords.Thus weakening the authority of Afghan President in his own country, degrading the nationalistic sentiments and feelings in Afghanistan and hindering development or aid efforts from neighbouring countries like India actually run counter to the Afghan interests. Afghanistan has the inhereht right to develop as a trading hub for countries of Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia and Gulf countries in view of its pivotal geographic location and addedly, more so, to lift the people of this country and the region out of dire poverty .Afghanistan’s sovereign interests cannot be curtailed in any manner by another country on any pretext.
Impact of leaks on the course of war
US and Nato forces have taken serious notice of the double games as weakening the war efforts .Various countries have come out openly asking Pakistan authorities to do the requisite ‘ explaining” and take remedial steps. One main factor lacking in Pakistan is the virtual non-existence of civilian supremacy over army and ISI in matters connected with so called security policy and sensitive bits of foreign policy with regard to Afghanistan, America and India .The army mind looks at every prospect through the prism of war manoeuvres and strategies failing to take any call in the greater national and regional interests that may even benefit Pakistan in a big way.The civilian power has often been sidelined and army dictators have ruled this country for most period of its sixty three years of history. As a result Afghanistan has to act boldly to steer clear of Pakistan’s inherent drawbacks due to its ethnic faultlines and non existence of an enlightened civilian authority .
Pentagon’s concerns of Wikileaks
Pentagon has expressed its grave concerns at the damaging effect of Wikileaks .These Leaks provide insights into military tactics and techniques about how US protects its troops in war zones, give out information about the names of Afghan informants and as to how US military cultivates them.It thus puts at risks the lives of Afghan who had cooperated with NATO and US forces. Afghan president has thus called the disclosures of the names of informants “ extremely irresponsible and shocking” Pentagon has also directed Wikileaks to remove 77000 documents so far published on websites and not to publish the remaining 15000 documents so far withheld by them.
Such double games are being seen as the main cause contributing to the failure of US led war in eradicating terrorism in Afghanistan .Consequently Afghanistan fails to achieve stability, build up requisite government structures and enforce the constitution to carry out development works.
AIMS OF DOUBLE GAME
Aims of Pakistan in these double game are obviously more sinister than mere over-shadowing Afghanistan.They are instead working overtime to keep Afghan society skewed towards extreme fundamentalism that can be easily subverted and employed as proxies against India or to sponsor terrorism globally.With this end in view ISI is trying hard to bargain out a role or share of power to the Taliban and Haqqani networks in the power sharing arrangement in Afghanistan after the US exits the scene. In fact Taliban and Haqqani networks are sought to be kept dormant under ISI influence that can be activated at times to suit their objectives .
The approach adopted by Pakistan basically tends to weaken nationalism in Afghanistan that is otherwise direly needed to lend identity and due place of prominence to the country recovering from instability and political turmoil in this region. Afghan President had been recently seen making worrisome quests in Islamabad for bring normalacy in his country even to the extent of conceding influence to ISI and Pakistan army over matters relating to striking relationship with various factions of Taliban and Afghan warlords.Thus weakening the authority of Afghan President in his own country, degrading the nationalistic sentiments and feelings in Afghanistan and hindering development or aid efforts from neighbouring countries like India actually run counter to the Afghan interests. Afghanistan has the inhereht right to develop as a trading hub for countries of Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia and Gulf countries in view of its pivotal geographic location and addedly, more so, to lift the people of this country and the region out of dire poverty .Afghanistan’s sovereign interests cannot be curtailed in any manner by another country on any pretext.
Impact of leaks on the course of war
US and Nato forces have taken serious notice of the double games as weakening the war efforts .Various countries have come out openly asking Pakistan authorities to do the requisite ‘ explaining” and take remedial steps. One main factor lacking in Pakistan is the virtual non-existence of civilian supremacy over army and ISI in matters connected with so called security policy and sensitive bits of foreign policy with regard to Afghanistan, America and India .The army mind looks at every prospect through the prism of war manoeuvres and strategies failing to take any call in the greater national and regional interests that may even benefit Pakistan in a big way.The civilian power has often been sidelined and army dictators have ruled this country for most period of its sixty three years of history. As a result Afghanistan has to act boldly to steer clear of Pakistan’s inherent drawbacks due to its ethnic faultlines and non existence of an enlightened civilian authority .
Pentagon’s concerns of Wikileaks
Pentagon has expressed its grave concerns at the damaging effect of Wikileaks .These Leaks provide insights into military tactics and techniques about how US protects its troops in war zones, give out information about the names of Afghan informants and as to how US military cultivates them.It thus puts at risks the lives of Afghan who had cooperated with NATO and US forces. Afghan president has thus called the disclosures of the names of informants “ extremely irresponsible and shocking” Pentagon has also directed Wikileaks to remove 77000 documents so far published on websites and not to publish the remaining 15000 documents so far withheld by them.
Kashmir crisis:Political parties responsible
As the situation in Kashmir continued to take a still worse turn at every stage within a short period of three months, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will have to take a major portion of the blame .With over eighty deaths of civilians and mobs still defiant of the security forces, the entire valley had to be brought under curfew.
The problem that started with stone pelting of security forces by the youth soon snowballed into serious political, emotional, economic and security issues of gravest concerns for the country. Having gone out of the state administration, the authorities at the centre were unable to find solutions to the vexed issues even in the cabinet Committee on security meeting held in Delhi. All party meet at 7 Race course also ended inconclusively and in order to bring normalcy to the state and redress the grievances and sufferings of the Kashmiri people an all party delegation will shortly visit the valley, facilitated by the home ministry .
Not long ago, the people of Jammu and Kashmir had put their solemn trust in the political leadership that currently rules the state through an alliance of National Conference and the Congress. The situation that started with stone pelting was, however, sought to be handled through bureaucracy and the security personnel.The political leadership was conspicuously absent and not seen as attending to matters of aspiration and hope of the people.
The mainstream parties namely national conference and PDP, vie with each other in upping the political aims of autonomy and self rule mainly for their relevance and vote bank considerations , while the constitution provides ample space for autonomy for the state in financial and allied matters .
But this approach has created a bunch of self-appointed Hurriyat men inciting separatist tendencies among the youth and consequently the people of the valley suffer.The leadership of the mainstream parties should prove their substance by improving the lot of people in matters of economic betterment, imparting education etc.
Compelled to make a comparison with the neighbouring hilly state of Himachal Pradesh that attained statehood in 1967, the level of literacy achieved in that state compares favourably with the most advanced state of India, while the people of Kashmir remain 65% illiterate and cannot read and write.
Then how employment in global context can be generated in this region..Then what kind of job plan had so far been formulated .The political leadership holds solemn pledges while returning to power but soon forget their promises.
The all-party delegation visiting the state of Jammu and Kashmir should speak to the people of state for giving proper direction to development activities for improving the economic, educational and cultural aspect of the people.
The problem that started with stone pelting of security forces by the youth soon snowballed into serious political, emotional, economic and security issues of gravest concerns for the country. Having gone out of the state administration, the authorities at the centre were unable to find solutions to the vexed issues even in the cabinet Committee on security meeting held in Delhi. All party meet at 7 Race course also ended inconclusively and in order to bring normalcy to the state and redress the grievances and sufferings of the Kashmiri people an all party delegation will shortly visit the valley, facilitated by the home ministry .
Not long ago, the people of Jammu and Kashmir had put their solemn trust in the political leadership that currently rules the state through an alliance of National Conference and the Congress. The situation that started with stone pelting was, however, sought to be handled through bureaucracy and the security personnel.The political leadership was conspicuously absent and not seen as attending to matters of aspiration and hope of the people.
The mainstream parties namely national conference and PDP, vie with each other in upping the political aims of autonomy and self rule mainly for their relevance and vote bank considerations , while the constitution provides ample space for autonomy for the state in financial and allied matters .
But this approach has created a bunch of self-appointed Hurriyat men inciting separatist tendencies among the youth and consequently the people of the valley suffer.The leadership of the mainstream parties should prove their substance by improving the lot of people in matters of economic betterment, imparting education etc.
Compelled to make a comparison with the neighbouring hilly state of Himachal Pradesh that attained statehood in 1967, the level of literacy achieved in that state compares favourably with the most advanced state of India, while the people of Kashmir remain 65% illiterate and cannot read and write.
Then how employment in global context can be generated in this region..Then what kind of job plan had so far been formulated .The political leadership holds solemn pledges while returning to power but soon forget their promises.
The all-party delegation visiting the state of Jammu and Kashmir should speak to the people of state for giving proper direction to development activities for improving the economic, educational and cultural aspect of the people.
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