New Delhi February 20 – Admitting that strengthening of ties between Pakistan and China was a matter of concern for India, Defence Minister George Fernandes has stressed the need of a confidence building exercise for improving Indo-China relations.
Mr Fernandes, while delivering Air Chief Marshal Pratap Lal Memorial Lecture here last evening, said doubts on certain issues and lack of confidence between the two Asian players, if allayed, would not only have a positive impact on bilateral relations but also help maintain peace in the region.
”Certain doubts do prevail and these need to be addressed first,” said the Defence Minister throwing light on the main topic of the lecture ”Whether the two major players in Asia would stand against each other or would have a more cordial and a competitive relationship.” The two countries share a lot in common and efforts must be made on all fronts including the socio-politico-economic fields for betterment of bilateral ties and increased interaction between the people.
Both Countries had certain reservations and concern on issues and their respective sentiments need to be respected, said Mr Fernandes while referring to Tibet, Taiwan and Pakistan.
India has always maintained a clear ideological stand on Tibet and Taiwan, he said adding ”We have never had a dual stand on the twin issue”.
Clarifying his stand on China, Mr Fernandes said a wrong media reporting had projected him as a Minister who saw China as the number one enemy of India. ”In fact what I said about China was in context of a completely hypothetical situation.” The Defence Minister also said, since 1998 the relations between the two major Asian countries had been witnessing a positive change with a feeling of respect for each other’s sentiments. This got amply projected even in the joint declaration signed during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to China.
