{"id":30005,"date":"2014-05-25T23:32:11","date_gmt":"2014-05-26T03:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=30005"},"modified":"2014-05-25T23:32:11","modified_gmt":"2014-05-26T03:32:11","slug":"bjp-govt-under-modi-will-initiate-fresh-dialogue-with-sri-lanka-and-push-for-devolution-under-13th-constitutional-amendment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=30005","title":{"rendered":"BJP Govt Under Modi will Initiate Fresh Dialogue with Sri Lanka and Push for Devolution Under 13th Constitutional Amendment"},"content":{"rendered":"

by <\/p>\n

DILRUKSHI HANDUNNETTI<\/strong><\/p>\n

The newly-elected Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP) will introduce a ‘baggage-free’ foreign policy that will allow India to foster relations with each SAARC member country and in that discourse, Sri Lanka \u2013 India’s strategic neighbour \u2013 will enjoy a special place,<\/em> Spokesperson for the Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP), Nirmala Sitharaman,<\/strong> told <\/em>Ceylon Today.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In an exclusive telephone interview with Ceylon Today,<\/strong> Sitharaman said, Prime Minister-elect, Narendra Modi’s decision to invite leaders from all SAARC countries indicated his open-minded approach which is not coloured by the past.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Spokesperson said, the BJP has much to offer to India, and to the region, as a growing economic hub that shares much of its roots with the subcontinent. “BJP rule will not be divisive,” Sitharaman noted.
\nThe BJP Spokesperson added that matters of foreign policy will see continuity, and soon after the swearing-in, the Modi-led Government of India will initiate a fresh dialogue with Sri Lanka, as well as others.<\/p>\n

Sitharaman noted that the BJP would like to see old commitments fulfilled, such as devolution of power as envisaged by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka and will promote stronger economic and cultural ties with the island.<\/p>\n

Nirmala Sitharaman, a founding director of Pranava School in Hyderabad, has served as a Member of the National Commission for Women and currently functions as one of the six BJP Spokespersons headed by Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP’s Chief Spokesperson.<\/p>\n

Excerpts from the interview:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q:
\nThe Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP) recorded an unprecedented electoral victory on 16 May. Though a BJP victory was expected, what is BJP’s own explanation for the landslide?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: The downfall of the Congress was its 10 years of absolute misrule and its sheer lack of leadership. It became extremely unpopular amidst growing charges of corruption and inflation that made every Indian suffer. There was a serious lack of employment generation and in short, India was in crisis because of its administration. On so many fronts, the government had made serious blunders and the citizens were made to suffer.<\/p>\n

In contrast, the BJP promised economic growth, a corruption-free administration and opportunities for individual growth that would invariably fuel India’s growth.<\/p>\n

There are many sectors that were seriously mishandled by the Congress. There was no thought given to the aspirations of the Indian youth. The youth want a different India\u2013 an India that can be a land of opportunities in which they have a role to play. Finally, it all boils down to leadership and policies.
\nIndia is an emerging economy and for India to grow, it needed a new leadership that can go beyond ‘self.’ India has voted in one voice for the BJP\u2013 and for Narendra Modi. Indians have voted for a strong, ‘no-nonsense’ leader who will put the country’s development agenda ahead of any personal interests. Modi’s single interest is to see India realizes its true potential, long denied due to Congress’ lack of foresight, policies and its corruption.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nIs it then largely the anti-incumbency factor that led to the BJP’s victory?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Not at all. There are some critics who feel that the abysmal failure in providing leadership and the unpopularity of the Congress to be the reasons for the BJP’s success. No.<\/p>\n

The BJP’s platform was built differently. It offered a corruption- free administration which will fuel growth in India. This land of diversity and vast opportunities deserves a better chance at development and this is exactly what the BJP promised.<\/p>\n

The BJP presented policies to the people, showed how India can become South Asia’s growth engine, its formula to eradicate poverty, plans to generate employment and achieve industrial expansion. The BJP-led government will usher in an era of prosperity to India that the inheritance politics of the Congress could not achieve in 10 long years.<\/p>\n

When it comes to the Congress, there is always that undercurrent of family influence. Under Congress rule, corruption has been rampant as well as inflation. Clearly there was a management problem.
\nCorruption goes hand in hand with inflation \u2013 and these factors \u2013 unfortunately became the definition of the Congress.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nIndia’s Prime Minister-elect, Narendra Modi, has invited leaders of all SAARC member countries to attend his inauguration, scheduled for tomorrow (26) in New Delhi. This is an unprecedented move by any Indian Premier, as a swearing-in of a Prime Minister has always been considered a domestic event. Why the departure?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: This is a well-considered decision by Modi, in his new capacity as India’s Prime Minister in-waiting.<\/p>\n

It demonstrates his commitment to go beyond parochial, divisive politics and his ability to lead from the front.<\/p>\n

This is an important gesture\u2013 particularly for an Indian leader to make. Modi has reached out to the entire region \u2013 in friendship \u2013 demonstrating his readiness to work with all SAARC leaders. This invitation is the first step, and should be considered a positive and a welcome step, taken by him.
\nThe BJP is extremely keen on good relations with the entire region. Let me also add that Sri Lanka is extremely important to India \u2013 and to the BJP \u2013 as our closest neighbour and a country we share close ties with.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nThis invitation extended to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa appears to have caused some ripples in Tamil Nadu, upsetting some BJP allies. What is your response?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: The decision to invite SAARC leaders to his swearing-in as Prime Minister of India indicates a fresh approach. It is a move that stems from deep understanding of geopolitics. It is an interesting and inspiring move by Mr. Modi, in his capacity as India’s next Prime Minister.
\nIt is a prudent move. It is also a well-considered, wise decision, which should be appreciated.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nIndia has often played the role of regional leader and when this role was questioned at times, has often reacted negatively or aggressively. Is the new Prime Minister seeking to assert the role of regional leader, through this move?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: It is a friendly, warm gesture. It is politically prudent and practical. Modi is no longer the Chief Minister of Gujarat but the Prime Minister of India and he understands what this new role means.
\nIt is a new role and with that, certain things must change.<\/p>\n

There had been much questioning by some, about Modi’s ability to go beyond his successful role as Chief Minister of Gujarat. He is now reaching out to the region\u2013 in friendship and warmth. He is sending out signals that his approach would be different.<\/p>\n

There is a camp that often tries to portray Modi as someone who cannot go beyond the confines of Gujarat. But some of the moves he has already made, including his desire to have all SAARC leaders in attendance as he takes on this new responsibility, show that he is a leader who is ready to play that massive role of being India’s Prime Minister.<\/p>\n

He is ready to lead India and to play a new role in South Asia as a mature politician whose policies will be ‘baggage-free.’ His is a success story and undoubtedly, he will want to make India win \u2013 and South Asia too.<\/p>\n

Q:
\nIn pursuing bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, what would the priorities of the new Indian administration be?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: In terms of foreign policy, there will be continuity. Modi’s government will initiate a fresh dialogue with Sri Lanka, after Monday.<\/p>\n

The commitment to devolve power in accordance with the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution and strengthening our economic and cultural ties with Sri Lanka will be India’s top priorities.<\/p>\n

COURTESY:CEYLON TODAY<\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by DILRUKSHI HANDUNNETTI The newly-elected Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP) will introduce a ‘baggage-free’ foreign policy that will allow India to foster relations with each SAARC member country and in that discourse, Sri Lanka \u2013 India’s strategic neighbour \u2013 will enjoy a special place, Spokesperson for the Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP), Nirmala Sitharaman, told Ceylon Today. …<\/p>\n

Continue reading ‘BJP Govt Under Modi will Initiate Fresh Dialogue with Sri Lanka and Push for Devolution Under 13th Constitutional Amendment’ »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30005"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30005"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30006,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30005\/revisions\/30006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}