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Vajpayee to discuss CTBT, Kashmir

On the eve of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's historic visit to Lahore, India today rejected any plan to convert the line of control into an international border with Pakistan.

"Map-making must come to a stop in south Asia," External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said at a press conference.

Confirming that Vajpayee would discuss nuclear confidence-building measures and Kashmir with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharief during his two day-visit beginning Saturday, Singh said there was no room, though, for third party intervention in settling disputes between India and Pakistan.

"India and Pakistan do not require the services of any interpreter... We know each other's language very well," the minister said. He also denied that there any pressure from the United States on India and Pakistan that prompted Vajpayee to undertake the bus journey to Lahore.

Singh said India's concerns on Jammu and Kashmir were well known and that these would be raised during discussions with the Pakistani side in a candid and forthright manner.

Asked if any agreements were to be signed during the prime minister's visit, he said, "These are matters of detail that will be specified after we reach Lahore."

On whether India and Pakistan could come to a mutual agreement on the question of adhering to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Singh said, "The respective positions of the two countries on the issue are well enough known. Of course, the issue will be discussed though it is not part of the agenda."

To a question whether Nawaz Sharief would accompany Vajpayee on his return journey to New Delhi, the minister said, "The Pakistan prime minister has expressed his desire to undertake a similar journey at a date of his own convenience."

He said the return visit by Sharief would provide the two prime ministers another opportunity to hold talks. The official-level talks between the two sides would also continue, he said.

Asked if the two sides could also discuss a no-war pact, Singh said, "It is our view that this historic engagement between the two countries must be fully utilised... Any proposal put forward and [which] is aimed at enhancing friendship between the two countries shall be given the most serious consideration."

On whether a breakthrough could be achieved in Indo-Pak relations as a consequence of the visit, the minister said, "We approach the journey as all journeys are approached -- with a sense of realism."

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