Trump is not very trustworthy: Former diplomat G Parthasarathy

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Gopalaswami Parthasarathy talks about prospects of Indo-US relations. The Indian diplomat discusses how Trump is not very trustworthy.

New Delhi:Amid preparations for Sunday's mega 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston, Texas, Gopalaswami Parthasarathy, former Indian diplomat, has said India cannot trust US President Donald Trump much as he has domestic compulsions.

"The US prepares its policy concerning India keeping Afghanistan in mind. India must not trust Trump much," Parthasarathy, who had been an Indian Diplomat to Pakistan, told ETV Bharat in an exclusive interview here.

He said India must evaluate its policies keeping the fact in mind that the US has constraints vis a vis Afghanistan. "The US President wants to withdraw American troops based in Afghanistan. We must stick to our policies concerning Pakistan," the diplomat stressed, adding that Pakistan would never get into a war with India and if it does, it knows the possible consequences.

"Russia declined to offer support to Pakistan in Kashmir issue"

"Pakistan thought the US was dependent on it concerning Afghanistan and the US would support its stand on Kashmir. It did not happen. Other nations, including Islamic countries, also refused to lend support, whereas countries such as France and Germany, were already in agreement with India on the matter," he said.

On being asked that Pakistan will again raise the issue at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the former diplomat said there was nothing worry for the country as it has a good team of Indian officials led by diplomat Syed Akbaruddin.

"Pakistan would throw sludge on India. No problem, as it would be handled well," he said, adding that Pakistan generally asks for aid from countries that go there for meetings," Parthasarathy told the ETV Bharat.

The former diplomat said that whatever Pakistan gets in terms of aid from these countries is spent on its armed forces and its economy is in really bad shape.

"When Pakistan tried to raise Kashmir issue on an international platform, they sought support from Russia. To this Russia firmly replied that they have cordial relations with India and moreover would support bilateral talks between the two countries as the solution to Kashmir issue. They clarified that they were not in favour to internationalise the issue," Parthasarathy said.

Modi in Houston

Touching upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mega 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston on Sunday, he said: "Wherever he goes, the flag of India flies high". He also praised Modi for his ability to make friends among the world leaders.

"He makes the atmosphere light while meeting the world leaders and it ensures trouble-free productive meetings and interactions," the diplomat said.

India and its neighbours

Commenting on the security situation in the continent, Parthasarathy said India and the US along with other countries should make policy to contain China and not to confront it. "China has understood that it cannot go on imposing itself on other nations as there have been naval exercises involving India and other countries in the region," he said, hoping that Pakistan may also become a normal neighbour.

"Abrogation of Article 370 was a good move"

Asked to comment on abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution from Jammu and Kashmir, the 79-year-old diplomat said: "It was a good move. It could have done earlier also. Some of the Kashmiri people were given too much liberty".