Q: That was the argument that George Fernandes had forwarded and he was criticized a lot.
Swamy: I care a damn for criticism. I'm telling you what I feel. You accept it or don't accept it.
Q: So you believe India should go all out…
Swamy: No, you don't start it. They'll start it. You just finish it. Once they start it, go whole-hog. If you are afraid they are going to use nuclear bomb, you use it first.
Q: How do you rate the foreign policy of Modi government? He invited Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony.
Swamy: I would still invite him because in Pakistan there are four governments. Nawaz Sharif's is a civilian government. The civilians are dying for India's help because they know they will have to go to burqas and beards once these Talibans take over with no permission for night clubs, partying, cinemas etc. They know it and that's why they are privately telling us – please shake hands with us. So civil society is different. There are three other governments – ISI, military and mullahs.
Q: So you are in favour of engagement with the civilian government.
Swamy: Yes, but don't take them seriously because they can't deliver.
Q: You had played an important role in normalizing relationship with China especially your initiative on Kailash Mansarovar yatra, how do you look at Sino-Indian relationship. China is not willing to release its claim over Arunachal Pradesh.
Swamy: One day, China should announce that they recognize McMahon line.
Q: So what is happening on that front?
Swamy: Nothing is happening at the moment. You have to deal with China. They will not give you anything free. I have confidence in Narendra Modi. He is a clear person and he'll take it forward.
Q: Let's come to the Budget that Mr. Jaitley will be presenting shortly. You had proposed to abolish income-tax. Have you discussed it with Arun Jaitley.
Swamy: No. There was a meeting of the party before this govt was formed where Jaitley was also present. I had made this proposal then and Jaitley had not opposed it. I assume he'll do it. I don't need to speak to him again.
Q: What are your expectations from the budget? Will this budget take care of underprivileged section of the society or the nation should be ready for the bitter medicine as Mr Modi had pointed out?
Swamy: Actually, I have not taken any interest in that because I'm an economist. And If I take interest, they will say that Swamy aur Modi ka jhagda hai (Swamy and Modi are fighting). I don't have to get into that. Let him present the budget and I'll tell you after that.
Q: Do you believe that Indians should be ready for bitter medicine?
Swamy: That the PM had said, I didn't say that. And I do not agree with the Prime Minister that bitter medicine has to be administered. Somebody has misled him because he is not an economist and he has to rely on some people. They might have misled him.
Q: Who are these people?
Swamy: I don't know. He has not consulted me on the economic policy.
Q: That's another point. Why is it that the PM is not taking services of an eminent person like Dr Swamy?
Swamy: This is something only he can answer. I can't answer.
