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Advani softens stand on China, but continues tirade against Pak

Home Minister L K Advani today sought to soften India's post-nuclear tests stand towards China, but again accused Pakistan of waging a proxy war against the country.

''Efforts to normalise relations with China will continue,'' Advani told reporters in Mussoorie after visiting the outposts at Rim Kim and Mana on the Indo-Tibetan border.

The home minister said the efforts to resolve the boundary dispute with China had been initiated by the Janata Party government of 1977 headed by Morarji Desai in which A B Vajpayee was external affairs minister.

Since then steps had been taken to normalise relations in trade and other fields as well.

The BJP-led government would continue to make such efforts, he said.

However, Pakistan was still abetting and aiding terrorism in India, thereby threatening its internal security, Advani said.

Rim Kim and Mana, the most forward and high altitude outposts, are manned by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

ITBP officers complained to Advani that its reserve battalions were being used for various purposes and this denied its personnel any rest. The home minister said he would look into this aspect.

The home minister said the situation on the Indo-Tibetan border was normal.

Referring to the security situation in various parts of the country, he said a meeting would soon be convened to discuss the law and order situation in the north-eastern states. The recent meeting had discussed only developmental issues.

Similarly, a meeting would be held to review the developmental issues of Jammu and Kashmir.

Advani paid Rs 10,000 each to the staff welfare funds of the outposts.

He also had a darshan at the Badrinath temple.

UNI

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