    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 21, 2000]
    [Pages 498-502]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Atal Behari
    Vajpayee of India in New Delhi
    March 21, 2000

        Prime Minister Vajpayee. I am delighted to welcome President Clinton
    to India. His visit provides us a unique opportunity for historic
    confirmation in our relations. We have just concluded a very productive
    meeting. President Clinton and I have had an indepth exchange of views
    on many subjects. Our two delegations have also held extensive
    discussions. Our discussions have been warm, friendly, and candid,
    reflecting our common desire to build a new relationship of mutual trust
    and respect.
        Our objective is to forge a durable, politically constructive and
    economically productive partnership between the world's two largest
    democracies. I think with President Clinton's visit and

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    our meeting today, we have laid a firm foundation for the future.
        President Clinton and I have just signed a vision statement. The
    statement outlines the contours of and defines the agenda of our
    partnership in the 21st century. We both agreed that our commitment to
    the principles and practice of democracy constitutes the bedrock of our
    relations and for our cooperative efforts internationally for peace,
    prosperity, and democratic freedom.
        We have also concluded agreements and understandings on the
    establishment of very wide-ranging dialog architecture. Closer contacts
    between our business and scientific communities will be encouraged. Both
    countries will endeavor to enhance trade and investment, cooperate in
    energy and environment, and to draw upon the vast array of talent,
    especially in the area of information technology and frontier sciences,
    for the betterment of the lives of their peoples.
        We share a common concern at the growing threat of terrorist
    violence and its links with religious extremism and illegal trade in
    narcotics. Both of us expressed our firm opposition to the use of any
    form of violence, whether as an instrument of terror against democratic
    society or as a means of realizing territorial ambition. Nothing
    justifies the use of such matters against innocent people. We expressed
    our determination to intensify our cooperation in this area.
        President Clinton and I had a frank discussion on the issues of
    disarmament and nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The
    dialog which is in progress between our two countries on these issues
    has enhanced the mutual understanding of our respective concerns. I've
    explained to President Clinton the reasons that compel us to maintain a
    minimum nuclear deterrent. I have reiterated our firm commitment not to
    conduct further nuclear explosive tests, not to engage in a nuclear arms
    race, and not to be the first to use nuclear weapons against any
    country.
        We have resolved to continue a dialog and to work together in
    cooperation with other countries to help bring about a peaceful and
    secure world completely free of the threat of all weapons of mass
    destruction.
        In our discussion of regional issues, I reiterated our policy of
    developing friendly and cooperative relations with all our neighbors in
    accordance with established principles of good neighborly relations,
    respect for each of their sovereignty and territorial integrity, and on
    the basis of agreements solemnly entered into. India remains committed
    to resolving its difference with its neighbors through peaceful
    bilateral dialog and in an atmosphere free from the thought of force and
    violence.
        We agreed that problems between countries of the region should be
    resolved peacefully by the concerned countries themselves. As a means of
    implementing our agenda, a partnership in the 21st century, we have
    agreed to regular summit meetings. President Clinton has invited me to
    Washington; I am delighted to accept.
        The President will have the opportunity over the next few days to
    see the rich cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity of our
    country, to experience the warmth and friendship of our people, to
    witness the delicate blend of tradition and modernity in our society,
    and to feel the democratic pulse of our large nation. I wish the
    President and the members of his delegation a very pleasant stay in
    India.
        In that end, I would like to make some remarks on the tragic events
    in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. The brutal massacre of 36 Sikhs in Jammu
    and Kashmir last night is further evidence of the ethnic cleansing that
    has been underway for a decade and is part of a pattern that we have
    experienced earlier, including during my visit to Lahore last year. The
    nation and the entire civilized community is outraged at this
    premeditated act of barbarism and joins us in condemning this act.
        The attempt at cloaking ethnic terrorism in the guise of jihad
    carries no conviction. We and the international community reject the
    notion that jihad can be a part of any civilized country's foreign
    policy. None should doubt the determination of the people of India to
    safeguard the secular unity of our society.
        Together we have defeated all of the challenges in the past, and we
    shall do so again. We have the means and the will to eliminate this
    menace.
        Thank you.
        President Clinton. Thank you, Prime Minister, for your remarks and
    for the warm welcome that you, your delegation, and the people of India
    have given to me and my family and the Americans who have come with me.
        It has been 22 years since a United States President has visited
    this country. Of course, that is not much time in the grand sweep of

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    India's civilization, but it is close to half your history since
    becoming independent. That is far too long, and this day is therefore
    long overdue. I am glad to be here.
        As the world's two largest democracies, we are united in believing
    that every person's dignity should be respected and every person's
    potential fulfilled. There is no better example of the power of freedom
    and opportunity to liberate human potential than the success that
    Americans of Indian heritage have enjoyed in our Nation.
        I have come to India because I want us to build a dynamic and
    lasting partnership, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. India
    and America should be better friends and stronger partners. In a world
    of increasing globalization, our futures plainly are intertwined. Today
    we have agreed to hold regular meetings between our heads of government
    and top officials. I thank the Prime Minister for accepting my
    invitation to visit the United States later this year. We have just
    signed, as you know, a joint vision statement that outlines the goals we
    share and the challenges we face.
        The world has become a better place as more nations have joined us
    on the unfolding path of democracy. We want democracy to spread and
    deepen, to protect human rights, including the rights of women and
    minorities.
        This June our two countries will convene the Community of
    Democracies meeting in Warsaw. I thank the Prime Minister for the
    leadership of India in this important endeavor. And I'm pleased that our
    National Endowment for Democracy, the Confederation of Indian Industry,
    and the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies here will organize the Asian
    Center for Democratic Governance, based here in New Delhi, to share our
    common experience with the hope of advancing freedom across Asia.
        Both our nations now enjoy strong economic growth. Both are
    pioneering the information revolution. Today we've reached agreement to
    bring more jobs and opportunities to our people, to accelerate trade
    between us, to help India's financial markets and assist its small
    businesses, to institute a regular economic dialog between our
    Governments.
        We both face, still, the challenges of better educating our
    children, lifting them from poverty, protecting them from disease and
    environmental peril. Today, these are global challenges; what happens in
    one nation affects others across their borders. We have agreed to face
    these challenges together. And together we can succeed.
        Finally, both our nations want a peaceful future. I recognize that
    India has real security concerns. We certainly share your outrage and
    heartbreak over last night's brutal attack in Kashmir. We offer our
    profoundest sympathies to the people, especially to the families of the
    victims. It reminds us of what tremendous suffering this conflict has
    caused India. The violence must end. This should be a time for
    restraint, for respect for the Line of Control, for renewed lines of
    communication.
        I also stressed that at a time when most nations, including the
    United States and Russia, are making real progress in moving away from
    nuclear weapons, the world needs India to lead in the same direction.
        While I am here, I will have the opportunity to speak with Indians
    about these issues and listen, as I have today, to the concerns of
    India's leaders and its people. Then our discussions will continue after
    I leave. I say again, we have neglected this relationship for more than
    two decades. It is too important to ever fall into disrepair again. I am
    committed to building a stronger partnership. And we are committed to
    building a better world.
        I look forward to spending the next 4 days here, meeting with your
    people, learning more about a rich history and culture I have long
    admired, and strengthening a friendship that, indeed, is critical to the
    future of the entire planet.
        Thank you very much.
        Q. [Inaudible]
        President Clinton. Thank you. I'll come get it when we finish the
    questions, how's that?

    India-U.S. Relations

        Q. This question is addressed to the Prime Minister. How did your
    one-to-one talks go, and what are your expectations of the future of
    India-U.S. relations?
        Prime Minister Vajpayee. I'm glad you asked that question. As you
    can see, our talks have gone very well. We discussed substantive issues
    relating to bilateral relations. We discussed the situation in South
    Asia in a very frank and candid manner. I'm sure, as a result of this
    visit and as a result of the discussion, a new chapter is being added
    into our bilateral relations.

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    Nuclear Nonproliferation

        Q. Mr. President, did you make any progress, did you achieve any
    progress today in persuading Prime Minister Vajpayee to take any of the
    specific steps that you have urged to restrain India's nuclear program,
    specifically, signing the CTBT, banning the production of fissile
    materials, and tightening export controls? If you didn't make any
    progress today and if you don't in the future, how close can this new
    relationship that you both have spoken of become?
        President Clinton. Well, first of all, on this whole
    nonproliferation issue, we have had a dialog that has gone on for some
    time now under the leadership of Mr. Singh and
    Mr. Talbott. And I would like to thank the
    Indian Government for that work.
        Secondly, I felt today that there was a possibility that we could
    reach more common ground on the issues of testing, on the production of
    fissile material, on export controls, and on restraint, generally.
        With regard to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, you heard the
    Prime Minister's statement about his position on testing. I would hope
    that the democratic process will produce a signing and, ultimately, a
    ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban in India, just like I hope
    the democratic process will ultimately produce a ratification of the
    Test Ban Treaty in America that I signed. These are contentious issues.
    But I'm actually quite optimistic about our ability to make progress on
    them.
        And again, I thank the Prime Minister for sanctioning what I think
    has been a very honest and thoroughgoing dialog. We've been working on
    this for some time, and we will continue to do it. And I believe we will
    wind up in a common position.

    Situation in Kashmir

        Q. This question is addressed to both President Clinton and Prime
    Minister Vajpayee. Thirty-five people were massacred in the valley
    yesterday, and both of you have expressed outrage at the incident. In
    the context of ongoing India-U.S. cooperation on counterterrorism, what
    are your reactions to this, and did this come up during your discussions
    on terrorism?
        President Clinton. Would you like to go first, Prime Minister?
        Let me ask you this, could you just repeat just the question you
    asked? Did this come up in our discussions--yes, it did. Ask me the
    previous question you asked. I want to make sure I understood it.
        Q. In the context of ongoing India-U.S. cooperation on
    counterterrorism, did you discuss this issue in terms of--did you
    discuss this in the context of international terrorism? And did this
    question come up just in terms of the violence?
        President Clinton. Well, first of all, we discussed it at some
    length, and I expressed privately to the Prime Minister my outrage about
    it--apparently the first targeting of the Sikhs in Kashmir. I don't
    think--the answer to your question is, I don't suppose it came up in the
    context of overall terrorism in the sense that it just happened last
    night. We have to know who did it before there could be a conclusion
    about that.
        But I think that the targeting of innocent civilians is the worst
    thing about modern conflicts today. And the extent to which more and
    more people seem to believe it is legitimate to target innocent
    civilians to reach their larger political goals, I think that's
    something that has to be resisted at every turn. There should be less
    violence in Kashmir, not more. And when people take on others, they
    ought to be those that have the responsibility for defending--if
    somebody wants to fight, at least they ought to leave the civilians
    alone.
        I think this is a horrible development in Kashmir, but unfortunately
    it's becoming all too common around the world. And one of the things
    that I hope we'll be able to do together is to reduce the incidence of
    violence against innocent civilians, not only here but in other parts of
    the world as well.
        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, if you'd like?
        Prime Minister Vajpayee. I have nothing more to add.
        Q. Thank you. Mr. President, you said in February that South Asia
    was perhaps the most dangerous place in the world today. Given the
    massacre yesterday and the increasing nuclear tensions, do you think
    that the risk of another war is increasing?
        And to the Prime Minister, sir, who do you hold responsible for the
    massacre yesterday, and what do you mean when you say, ``We have the
    will and the means to eliminate this menace''?

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        President Clinton. Your turn. [Laughter]
        Prime Minister Vajpayee. I'll take my turn. [Laughter] I'm sure
    after visiting this part of the world, the President will come to the
    conclusion that the situation is not so bad as it is made out to be.
    There are differences; there have been clashes; there is the problem of
    cross-country terrorism; innocent people are being killed. But there is
    no threat of any war. India is committed to peaceful means. We are
    prepared to solve all problems, discuss all problems on the table. We do
    not think in terms of war, and nobody should think in those terms in
    this subcontinent.
        So far as the massacre is concerned, it's a brutal act, an outrage.
    This is not for the first time; it has been going on. And whenever there
    are chances of both countries coming together--and at the people-to-
    people level our relations are very good, as I realized when I visited
    Lahore--but there is a deliberate design to foment trouble, to encourage
    killing, mass murders, to sabotage any attempt to bring about normalcy
    in this part of the world. This policy is not going to pay. And I hope
    this question will be discussed by the President in Islamabad.
        Q. Mr. President.
        President Clinton. Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press], to go
    back to the questions you asked me. First of all, I was encouraged by
    what the Prime Minister said to me in private, which was just what he
    said to you in public, that he did not want any of the difficulties that
    we have been discussing today to become the occasion for war.
        I have basically four beliefs about this whole thing, and I can
    state them very concisely. First, I think that that sort of restraint is
    something that everyone on the subcontinent should practice. Second, I
    think there must be a respect for the Line of Control. Third, I think
    some way must be found to renew the dialog.
        The Prime Minister did, I thought, a brave thing in participating in
    the Lahore process. He took some risks to do it. He'd always said that
    just the facts of geography and shared history called upon him to do
    that. But you cannot expect a dialog to go forward unless there is an
    absence of violence and a respect for the Line of Control.
        And the last thing that I would say is, I doubt very seriously that
    there is a military solution to the difficulties that the Kashmiris
    face. And that makes the death of these Sikhs all the more tragic and
    the importance of trying to restart the dialog all the more important,
    not just over this but other issues as well.
        And the Prime Minister said he hoped I would say that in Islamabad,
    and I will. I don't believe--one of the nice things about having you
    folks with us all the time is that we can't get away with saying one
    thing in one place and a different thing in another. We almost have to
    say the same thing everywhere, or you'll find us out. So I can tell you
    that this is my same message: Respect the Line of Control; show
    restraint; stand against violence; restore the dialog.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President's 188th news conference began at 1:03 p.m. in the
    garden at the Hyderabad House. In his remarks, the President referred to
    Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh of India and U.S. Deputy Secretary of
    State Strobe Talbott.