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Congress surprised over Fernandes's views

The Congress today expressed surprise over Union Defence Minister George Fernandes's statement on China and cautioned the government in the strongest terms against such 'a destructive approach' and efforts to convert his 'personal agenda' into that of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government.

Reacting to Fernandes's remarks on relations with China, Congress spokesman Salman Khurshid said the ''time has come for the prime minister to put an end to the confusion the defence minister is creating with regard to the foreign and defence policy of India.'' The defence minister's observations on relations with China went against the country's efforts to 'widen, deepen and strengthen its relations' with China, Khurshid said.

Fernandes has been trying to impose his personal and private agenda as a 'super agenda' over the 'hidden agenda' of the BJP-led government, he said. He wanted the prime minister to take note of the efforts to reverse the country's China policy at a time when confidence-building measures were required.

Fernandes's remarks had the effect of undoing the good work done by various prime ministers since the time of Rajiv Gandhi's visit to China, he said.

UNI

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