India watching the return to democracy

"We have noted the steps that have been taken, including the promulgation of the new Constitution that should lead to the full restoration of democracy," said visiting Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee in an interview with The Nation.

"We wish Thailand well and look forward to cooperating with the new government that will come in after the elections are held," said the minister when asked about perspectives on Thai democracy since the 2006 military coup.

Despite its long experience in developing democracy, Mukherjee said India had no advise to offer. "Each country has to determine its own path so that institutions of democracy become well entrenched."

India has no problem dealing with any form of governments whether democratic or military-ruled ones, and would never interfere, he said.

"We have to live with the government of the day. It's the right of the people in the country concerned to decide what kind of government they would like to have," he said.

Mukherjee was in Thailand for the fifth Thailand-India Joint Commission Meeting, which discussed ways to boost cooperation in a range sectors.

During the meeting with Thai counterpart Nitya Pibulsoggram on Friday the ministers considered cooperation on space technology between Indian Space Research Organization and the Geo-Information and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand. The two ministers also discussed possibilities for cooperation in the development and launch of remote sensing satellites, he said.

The joint commission also discussed areas related to the implementation of the Agreement on Utilization of Atomic Energy and Peaceful Purposes signed in 2000.

However, Mukherjee said India has no specific advise how to deal with nuclear issue when it become controversial matter.

"Every country is to develop its own way giving views to tradition, socio-economic conditions and to the people prevailing ways," he said.

Thai authorities floated an idea of a nuclear plant years ago but local people opposed the move due to safety fears.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said recently the kingdom was looking for more experts to develop nuclear technology to materialize a nuclear power plant.

Thailand and India established diplomatic relations 60 years ago, and the two countries are also looking forward to boosting people-to-people relations.

People-to-people linkage were also extended to regional context. Early this month, India hosted 20 Buddhists pilgrims from each Mekong-Ganga Cooperation country.

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation brings countries in the Mekong basin Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Vietnam to link with India. The group's emphasis is on cooperation on culture, tourism, education, people-to-people contact and transportation linkage. Part of the scheme is to establish a land link northeastern India via Burma up to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, the minister said.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation