Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Sunday Morning
Despite Gestures of Friendship, India-Pakistan Relations are Tense
Aired January 06, 2002 - 08:11 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The two leaders of India and Pakistan shook hands at an Asian economic summit in Nepal. The tension holds the firmest grip on the two nuclear-power countries.
CNN's Jakarta Bureau Chief, Maria Ressa, is in New Delhi and has details on the tensions between Pakistan and India -- Maria.
MARIA RESSA, CNN JAKARTA BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Martin, at this point, India's prime minister is back in New Delhi. He is expected to meet with Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair, about a half an hour from now. Mr. Blair is here to try to ease tensions between these two nuclear rivals. He will leave for Pakistan on Monday, where he will meet with President Pervez Musharraf.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RESSA (voice-over): In its face-off with Pakistan, India says it is finished moving its troops into position, bringing about 1 million soldiers to the border, according to Pakistan, which has also brought reinforcements to its side. Even as Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf shook the hand of India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, mortar shelling continued across their borders.
After the December 13 attack on India's parliament, domestic pressure has increased on the Indian government to go to war.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They had to do something, otherwise the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in India, the people, they will be against the government and this will be overthrown.
RESSA: Forty-four year old Chenille Chanda (ph) exports furniture around the world. He says the war on terrorism, as well as escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have cut his business by nearly 40 percent the past few months. Although he says that won't improve with war, India must protect itself. And much like the U.S. did after September 11, he urged the government to pursue the terrorists who attacked parliament.
These terrorists, India claims, have found refuge and support on Pakistani soil. Under international pressure, Pakistan arrested more than 100 Islamic militants this past week, including the leaders of the two Kashmiri militant groups India claims were behind the December 13 attack. A step in the right direction, says India, but not enough.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: India has reasons to be extremely suspicious of these moves, while cautiously (UNINTELLIGIBLE) them. The kind of overboard praise for these steps that I hear from President Bush and Mr. Tony Blair, to me is just absurd.
RESSA: The United States and Great Britain are asking both nuclear nations to step back and avoid war. A message Tony Blair is expected to repeat when he arrives in New Delhi on Sunday.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
RESSA: Still, events may spiral out of the control of both India and Pakistan. Muslim extremist groups have threatened more attacks in the coming days. Any attack during these tense times could trigger the confrontation both governments say they want to avoid.
This is Maria Ressa, CNN, reporting live from New Delhi.
Back to you, Martin.
SAVIDGE: Maria, we know that the two leaders have expressed I guess an overture to each other. Now what are the people on the streets of India saying? I mean, what is their feelings? Are they really angry and fervent for war?
RESSA: Certainly, that is the mood that's predominant at this point. Part of the reason is because many here have said that -- as the United States did -- this attack last December 13 happened in the capital on the seat of power. And as far as they can see, India has had to fight terrorism for more than a decade, has been at the forefront of terrorism.
And since the United States has gone ahead and gone after terrorists in Afghanistan, this is seen as a logical next step. That after Afghanistan, then terrorists must be pushed out. And India sees these terrorists within its own borders. That is, according to many officials here, part of the reason for the troop build-up. And it is quite a massive buildup, the largest in 15 years. According to Pakistani estimates, more than a million sitting right across that border -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: It's nice to see you again, Maria. Maria Ressa reporting to us from New Delhi, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
