AS the 12th Indian Prime Minister, Mr. I K Gujral, holding charge of Externall Ministry, had become the chief arbiter of Indian foreign policy which has come to be known as “Gujral Doctrine” in recent times. In a speech at the Bandaranaike Center for International Studies in Colombo, Sri Lanka on January 20, 1997, he said, the

"Gujral Doctrine, if I may call it so, states that, first, with its neighbours like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, India does not ask for reciprocity, but gives and accommodates what it can in good faith and trust. Second, we believe that no South Asian country should allow its territory to be used against the interests of another country of the region. Third, that none should interfere in the internal affairs of another. Fourth, all South Asian countries must respect each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. And finally, they should settle all their disputes through peaceful bilateral negotiations.”

However, Gujral Doctrine does not mark any significant departure and deviation from the long accepted and practiced Nehruvian vision of mutual friendship, cooperation, nonalignment and non-interference in one another's internal matters. But it lays greater emphasis on more positive and open dialogue on two-sided issues. The policy aims at improving relations with immediate neighbours in particular and with all others in general. This is the right approach to overcome hostility, tension and suspicion in bilateral relations. Keep the door open and continue the dialogue without any preconditions, is the cornerstone of the policy. Gujral believed that as a major power in the region, India had to take the initiative on the diplomatic front without considering the short-term gains or cost.

Further, he believed that India should accommodate the neighbours in good faith and trust without expecting the same reciprocity and response. India has to take the prime responsibility for stepping up cooperation among the seven countries. Gujral wanted SARRC to become an effective vehicle for all-round progress in the

region with India's initiative and efforts. Economic cooperation and settlement of issues through bilateral talks and discussions is the core of the doctrine. There is no alternative to dialogue and discussions for resolving disputes between two countries. Doors of dialogues, both official and non-official, should be kept open. There should be no interruption in the channels of communication and dialogue.

The doctrine envisages genuine cooperation and trust based on the sprit of give and take, but India needs to give more to its neighbours and accept as little as possible in return because on it devolves the responsibility for stepping up collaboration and cooperation in the region. Gujral believed in keeping with the SAPTA agreement and sprit to provide for the grant of non-reciprocal trade concession to the least developed countries of the region. “Even otherwise” he said, “as the largest economy in the region, we are conscious of our role and responsibility in ensuring that economic and trade liberalisation takes place in a just and equitable manner.”

But there are many who oppose this policy of unilateral concessions to the neighbours. The detractors of the

doctrine say that such a policy towards Pakistan can prove counterproductive and harmful because it sends wrong signals of weakness and appeasement. They say that Pakistan's willingness to come to the negotiation table to discuss bilateral issues was dictated more by the international political and economic pressure than any other thing.

The other principle of the Doctrine is not using a country's territory to undermine another country's security and territorial integrity. It would help a lot in checking terrorist and insurgency from across borders. If these principles are imposed and effort made to curb terrorism, all the member countries would benefit.

India needs to be exact, clear and firm about its policies and programmes with foreign countries. Periodic discussions, friendship, consultations and exchange of views are necessary to promote peace, cooperation and economic development.

The Indo-Pak relation is improving. India's open-heartedness in extending aid to the recent earthquake victims in Pakistan and vis-a-vis Mushharaf's statement to help India in finding out the culprits responsible for the recent Delhi bomb attack, is a positive sign of two-way improvement in the relationship of the two important member countries of SAARC.

Nevertheless, in the context of Bangladesh and the theme of Gujral Doctrine, much more is expected of India. Issues like Ganges water sharing, trade imbalance, push-in of Indians into Bangladesh territory and killing of innocent Bangladeshis by BSF living near the porous IndoBangladesh border, needs attention.

India should resist all monopolistic strategies adopted by the developed countries as it has done for NPT, CTBT, and Chemical Weapon Treaty. With fundamental recasting of South Asia's regional relationship, it could propel the region to the forefront of the Asian resurgence.

To convert SARRC into a dynamic organisation like EU and others, India ought to lead from the front, while other member countries must trust each other. The Gujral Doctrine is the right approach as it is based on good faith, intentions, and mutual accommodation.

Billy IAhmed is a researcher.