Tamerlan Karayev: "Official Delhi has not explained the reasons of its voting against Azerbaijani resolution in the UN General Assembly, but we do not want to think that India has changed its attitude towards separatism"

- How do you assess the current level of Azerbaijani-Indian relations?

- I would admit that the current level of relations between our countries does not comply with the potential we have. Therefore, we have to work more to bring these relations to a new level, especially, as to interaction in the economic sector.

- But, considering the recent events, we need to overcome some discrepancies in the approaches on some political problems. I mean India's unexpected actions while voting in the UN General Assembly on the Azerbaijani-initiated draft resolution "On the situation in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan". India has become one of the seven countries, which voted against the said document, in fact, putting a question on its recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. How can it be explained that India preferred not to abstain but to vote against this resolution in such a serious question?

- You know it was an unexpected turn for us too. Though in the first years during similar discussions of issues, connected with Karabakh, India voted for. The positive background for relations was also strengthened by the opening of an embassy of Azerbaijan to Delhi.

Therefore, India's such position during voting was fully unexpected for us. Even so more, during the meetings, held with various representatives of this country before voting, there were no hints or claims to Azerbaijan, which would predict the further actions of India.

Naturally, we continue to take interest in the reasons of such actions. But we receive no explanations on this issue, which would satisfy us.

Certainly, I have held due meetings but the only thing I managed to attain was the letter of the Indian Foreign Ministry's secretary, addressed to me, in which he says on behalf of the government that India supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Certainly, we can not be satisfied with it and we want to get any guarantees of that India will not take such a position in the future at least without explaining anything.

To avert it, I consider it necessary to make efforts for the further development of bilateral ties. Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov has paid a visit to India recently and from their side Indian Trade Minister Jayram Ramesh has visited Azerbaijan. I would like to remind of the recent session of the Azerbaijani-Indian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, also aiming to intensify the bilateral ties.

I hope chairman of this commission, Azerbaijan's Economic Development Minister Heydar Babayev will pay a response visit to India this year.

- So, in this case, you consider that we need to settle the problem of misunderstanding by way of dialogue, explanation of the essence of the Karabakh problem through boosting bilateral cooperation, than through adoption of any radical steps, such as calling the ambassador back, sending notes of protest and so on, which are, by the way, actively used by neighbor Georgia in similar cases?

- Undoubtedly. Especially when it occurs on the background of the negative participation of other big states including the United States, Russia and France in such voting.

Therefore, I would not recommend to take any tough steps and I do not think we will do it. But we will continue explaining our position in an effort to attain its acceptance. We do not even want to think that India has changed its attitude towards separatism. This is a country of states, where, as you know, there are its own serious problems. We consider that India is principal in its position regardless of any sympathies and antipathies and it should speak clearly against separatism in any part of the world.

- Can India's actions be connected with Azerbaijan's open support of Pakistan's position in the Cashmere settlement?

- It is difficult for me to answer, but, anyway, we have not received such explanations.

- It is no secret that sometimes countries manage to overcome the most serious political discrepancies by boosting cultural relations. Is it possible by way of strengthening cultural bridges between Azerbaijan and India, especially because the ties have previously been strong enough. I want to remind the great friendship between two prominent art figures, singer Rashid Behbudov and actor Radj Kapoor.

- This is true. But I want to remind that it all occurred in the times when Azerbaijan was part of the USSR. This is an important moment. At the same time, we have recently held successful demonstration of Azerbaijani culture in India with participation of our singers, musicians and dancers. I would like to say that it was a success. The concert was held in several cities of the country and a special concert was organized for special audience in conclusion.

We will undoubtedly continue this practice and try to hold such measures as often as possible and invite Indian art figures to Azerbaijan.

/Day.Az/