MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SHRI G.K. PILLAI, JOINT SECRETARY (NE), M.H.A. ON 29.9.1999 AT 11.00 HOURS TO DISCUSS ACTIVITIES OF DUTCH NGOs IN INDIA
The meeting was chaired by Shri G.K. Pillai, JS(NE). Names of other participants are as follow:-
2. JS(NE) initiated the discussion outlining the fact that reports received indicated continued Western interest in the North-Eastern region of the country and possibility of proliferating activities of Dutch NGOs/individuals in the region. He suggested that is possible that this is conjecture but facts available give credence of the conjecture. He outlined following possibilities:-
i) USA may be promoting non-American NGOs to camouflage its own interests;
ii) Dutch activities have suddenly increased in the region in post-cold war period. Dutch missionaries have been found active in Tripura without having any permission from the Government of India. Dutch NGOs, NCIP (Netherlands Council on Indigenous People) is giving support to various insurgent groups of NE region on international fora;
iii) Many/most Dutch NGOs are directly funded by their Government. It may be possible that fund flowing from the Dutch government finally trickles down to insurgent groups in NE region. It was found that when NCIP contacted NSCN factions in 1993, Dutch Government provided $25,000 monetory support to this NGO. This linkage of flow of fund (Government-NGO-militants) has to be ascertained further.
iv) It has been found that leaders of NSCN(I/M) faction meet the Dutch officials before and after every time they meet Government of India representatives. It may be possible that the factions briefs them about the outcome of meetings. NSCN(I?M) leaders have been immunised from any restriction to enter Netherlands on fake passport. It is not possible that the Dutch Government is totally unaware of the terrorist movement, the NSCN(I/M) is leading.
3. Shri Bishnoi, Director, MEA informed that the Dutch PM is scheduled to visit India in November this year and India is trying to seek Dutch help in canvassing support for its permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
However, he agreed that if substantive evidence of Dutch activities is subversion is available, a formal protest can be made to the Dutch Government to ask its NGOs to refrain from activities detrimental to the interests of India.
4. Shri Mohta, Diector (N), MEA raised the issue of Dutch and Scandinavian interest in anti-big dam protest movements in Nepal and Southern Bhutan. He further suggested that India's potential source of hydroelectric energy is in this Himalayan belt, that interest of the NGOs from the Dutch and Scandinavian region may have hidden intentions prejudicial to our national interest.
He suggested that visitors from these regions are moving out into southern Bhutan from India and their movement ought to be monitored by agencies.
5. DD, IB commented that the Dutch agency BVD is the internal intelligence agency of Netherlands and it is nlikely that they would be involved in assisting/promoting an activity by Dutch NGOs/individuals as suggested in the background note. IB did not have any specific report or indication of Dutch NGOs/individuals involved in activities which could be against out national interest on the long run, he said.
6. JS(F) provided data of the funds received by various NGO from the Netherlands. He informed that fund disturbed is small, ranging from Rs. 2 lakh to 8 lakh in each case. However, the possibility of fund reaching from other sources being diverted to Dutch NGOs/individuals etc. needs to be monitored.
Diversion of fund, say, from missionaries to insurgent groups with Christian membership should also be monitored.
7. The members also discussed about the interest of Dutch NGOs/Government/citizens in the region around North-East- GIS in Bangladesh, Conference on 'Bihar in World (in the wake of disintegration of nation State), IDPAD (Indo-Dutch Programme on Alternative Development) sponsored projects in this region.
Issues like NCIP's support in mooting the idea of 'United Front' for independence of seven North-Eastern States, possible linkage of NLFT and Dutch Missionaries in Tripura were also raised.
8. Discussion was summed up by the Chairman with following agreed points for action:-
i) Sensitisation of Government machinery at State and Central level so that various Dutch activities are not ignored as unlinked incidents; Action: MHA
ii) Close monitoring and regular reporting of activities of Dutch NGOs/individuals in NE region, and adjoining areas; Action: IB
iii) 'Evidence' be collected to find out the actual flow of funds to various insurgent groups from the Dutch sources; Action: R&AW/ IB
iv) Monitoring the movement of Dutch and Scanadinavian nationals sneaking into South Bhutan from India; Action: IB
v) Finding out any underlying design,
if any, and linkage between various anti-big dam protest movements in the
Himalayan foot hills. Action: IB