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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke exclusively to Times Now Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami.
Q: It is interesting that today the mastermind of 26/11 was charge sheeted but the trial has not actually started are you concerned that trial has not started?
A: I am concerned if there is no trial and no justice for those who planned the attacks on Mumbai on 26/11. I am looking for a commitment from the countries and one that is carried forward. There must be reckoning of justice for those who have lost their lives.
Q: So, you believe that there must be a trial?
A: I believe there should be full whetting of what happened for those who planned the attack. Countries are now understanding that terrorism is a threat to the nation, I hope that we will see full cooperation of governments against these non-state actors. In this area (South Asia) there has been terrorism in every country, thus there should be sharing of workable intelligence between countries to prevent such acts.
Q: You have been asked about LeT and such groups that continue to act from Pakistan, would you put pressure using your influence to advise Pakistan to act against groups like LeT?
A: We have in our dialogue with Pakistan been very clear that it is imperative Pakistan has to go after every terror group. These groups are threats to Pakistan as well. These groups are no longer working alone, now they are part of a criminal syndicate. No terrorist group can be left alone, everyone must be acted against.
Q: Secretary would you link aid given to Pakistan to tangible action against terror which would also assure India?
A: I am very proud to be in India, to deepen and strengthen our relationship; I want your viewers to know we are always stressing the counter terrorism effort in every country.
Q: Secretary when they were worries that India was being clubbed with AFPAK countries, would you see India's role as regional power in the region?
A: I consider India not only a regional power but a global power. I think India has the opportunity to resolve problems regionally and work with other nations to solve some of the global challenges. How India decides to do that is upto India. Trying to bring the understanding that India has to the table to deal with the extremist threat in Afghanistan is useful. I think that cooperation that we are building with India on counter terrorism is very good, to get India's help in our side and in what Pakistan is now doing is very welcome.
Q. Do you see any resistance from Pakistan?
A: Over the last 6 months we have seen a evolving attitude in Pak, the Army effort in Buner and Swat have been adjudged by our military leaders to be sincere and committed, there is a attitude in Pakistan today that terrorists pose a threat to them that you can't turn a blind eye to terrorism.
Q: Recently meeting between India and Pak, consensus was that India has shown maturity in de-linking terror, would you believe that Pakistan should continue its fight against terror and not stop?
A: It should be expected, I see very positive steps, India is a mature country and is able to make decisions for itself, and India is also very powerful with military capacity, if necessary. What the government is doing is finding space to eradicate poverty, increase agriculture productivity, create more jobs, the bread and butter issue that will enable India to grow. I have great deal of admiration for the difficult decision that the Government has taken.
Q: On Kashmir India believes it is a bilateral issue. Pakistan would like to see the issue internationalized. Do you see a role for the US as broker?
A: The decision has to between India and Pakistan and it must take into account feelings of people of Kashmir. Our role is not be involved other than to support the process that Indian and Pakistan may decide to enter into.
Q: There were also concerns on nuke deal, is the deal conditional in any way linked to CTBT signing by India?
A: No, the civil nuke deal stands on its own merits, there are provisions which we are working to fulfill, what I am hoping in my conversation with the Indian leaders is that India can help us determine how to keep nuke material out of hands of rogue state and non-state actors hands, what is the appropriate non-proliferation programme for the future, India has capacity to determine where it wants to go in this particular case, the Prime Minister's envoy for non-proliferation had said India wants to contribute to solve problem, which I am interested in.
Nuke deal is not hostage, I was chair of the Indo-America caucus and worked hard for passage for nuke deal, I am committed to its full implementation, what we see as proliferation in place like North Korea and Iran the efforts of terrorist to get nukes, I want to explore what we can do to prevent that.
Q: You come back to India often, there seems to some special bond you share and that you are staying at Taj?
A: I chose to stay at Taj. I wanted to send message that I and my country is in solidarity with guest of Taj who were injured and people of Mumbai. Really as a rebuke to the terrorists who did not destroy the spirit, I am attracted to India, this is my fourth trip, something about dynamism of people, their dedication to democracy which is an inspiration to me. It is a feeling in my heart that makes me feel privileged to be here, I also love the food and I have many friends here.
We will come with the family to walk the street and spend time with people not on a busy schedule like this.
Q: We have seen you in many roles lawyer, first lady and now secretary of state, what next after a few years?
A: Retirement, but probably along lines of what we did I started out as advocate for women and children promote ideals of equality and opportunity be a voice of the voiceless. It's a great tragedy to see that there are people who could have been great doctors but never got educated and never got the chance, I would expand the opportunity for people to make decision that will contribute to the nation.
Q: It is interesting that today the mastermind of 26/11 was charge sheeted but the trial has not actually started are you concerned that trial has not started?
A: I am concerned if there is no trial and no justice for those who planned the attacks on Mumbai on 26/11. I am looking for a commitment from the countries and one that is carried forward. There must be reckoning of justice for those who have lost their lives.
Q: So, you believe that there must be a trial?
A: I believe there should be full whetting of what happened for those who planned the attack. Countries are now understanding that terrorism is a threat to the nation, I hope that we will see full cooperation of governments against these non-state actors. In this area (South Asia) there has been terrorism in every country, thus there should be sharing of workable intelligence between countries to prevent such acts.
Q: You have been asked about LeT and such groups that continue to act from Pakistan, would you put pressure using your influence to advise Pakistan to act against groups like LeT?
A: We have in our dialogue with Pakistan been very clear that it is imperative Pakistan has to go after every terror group. These groups are threats to Pakistan as well. These groups are no longer working alone, now they are part of a criminal syndicate. No terrorist group can be left alone, everyone must be acted against.
Q: Secretary would you link aid given to Pakistan to tangible action against terror which would also assure India?
A: I am very proud to be in India, to deepen and strengthen our relationship; I want your viewers to know we are always stressing the counter terrorism effort in every country.
Q: Secretary when they were worries that India was being clubbed with AFPAK countries, would you see India's role as regional power in the region?
A: I consider India not only a regional power but a global power. I think India has the opportunity to resolve problems regionally and work with other nations to solve some of the global challenges. How India decides to do that is upto India. Trying to bring the understanding that India has to the table to deal with the extremist threat in Afghanistan is useful. I think that cooperation that we are building with India on counter terrorism is very good, to get India's help in our side and in what Pakistan is now doing is very welcome.
Q. Do you see any resistance from Pakistan?
A: Over the last 6 months we have seen a evolving attitude in Pak, the Army effort in Buner and Swat have been adjudged by our military leaders to be sincere and committed, there is a attitude in Pakistan today that terrorists pose a threat to them that you can't turn a blind eye to terrorism.
Q: Recently meeting between India and Pak, consensus was that India has shown maturity in de-linking terror, would you believe that Pakistan should continue its fight against terror and not stop?
A: It should be expected, I see very positive steps, India is a mature country and is able to make decisions for itself, and India is also very powerful with military capacity, if necessary. What the government is doing is finding space to eradicate poverty, increase agriculture productivity, create more jobs, the bread and butter issue that will enable India to grow. I have great deal of admiration for the difficult decision that the Government has taken.
Q: On Kashmir India believes it is a bilateral issue. Pakistan would like to see the issue internationalized. Do you see a role for the US as broker?
A: The decision has to between India and Pakistan and it must take into account feelings of people of Kashmir. Our role is not be involved other than to support the process that Indian and Pakistan may decide to enter into.
Q: There were also concerns on nuke deal, is the deal conditional in any way linked to CTBT signing by India?
A: No, the civil nuke deal stands on its own merits, there are provisions which we are working to fulfill, what I am hoping in my conversation with the Indian leaders is that India can help us determine how to keep nuke material out of hands of rogue state and non-state actors hands, what is the appropriate non-proliferation programme for the future, India has capacity to determine where it wants to go in this particular case, the Prime Minister's envoy for non-proliferation had said India wants to contribute to solve problem, which I am interested in.
Nuke deal is not hostage, I was chair of the Indo-America caucus and worked hard for passage for nuke deal, I am committed to its full implementation, what we see as proliferation in place like North Korea and Iran the efforts of terrorist to get nukes, I want to explore what we can do to prevent that.
Q: You come back to India often, there seems to some special bond you share and that you are staying at Taj?
A: I chose to stay at Taj. I wanted to send message that I and my country is in solidarity with guest of Taj who were injured and people of Mumbai. Really as a rebuke to the terrorists who did not destroy the spirit, I am attracted to India, this is my fourth trip, something about dynamism of people, their dedication to democracy which is an inspiration to me. It is a feeling in my heart that makes me feel privileged to be here, I also love the food and I have many friends here.
We will come with the family to walk the street and spend time with people not on a busy schedule like this.
Q: We have seen you in many roles lawyer, first lady and now secretary of state, what next after a few years?
A: Retirement, but probably along lines of what we did I started out as advocate for women and children promote ideals of equality and opportunity be a voice of the voiceless. It's a great tragedy to see that there are people who could have been great doctors but never got educated and never got the chance, I would expand the opportunity for people to make decision that will contribute to the nation.
