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India watching Pakistan situation, says Narayanan

President K R Narayanan today said India was watching the situation in Pakistan and was prepared to engage in a peaceful dialogue once the atmosphere of trust destroyed by the armed intrusions in Kargil was restored.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by Federal Chancellor of Austria Victor Klima, Narayanan said India was committed to a peaceful resolution of all differences with Pakistan through bilateral dialogue and mutually beneficial relationships. However, the Indian President added that it was necessary for Pakistan to cease cross-border terrorism if any meaningful dialogue was to be achieved.

Narayanan said India and Austria share views on many international issues and collaborate actively in the UN. The two leaders agreed that the UN needs strengthening and reform. ''We look forward to working together towards our mutual objective of creating a truly representative world body, which reflects the current realities, would promote development and security and safeguard human rights and human dignity.''

Naryanan said on the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations and as two independent and friendly nations with long and proud historical traditions, ''Let us jointly pledge our ties of friendship and commit ourselves to working for a new and just world order.'' Austria is a strategic link for India in its relations with Europe.

The excellent infrastructure, the successful industrialisation programmes and expertise in industries like steel, railway equipment, transport and metallurgy has already benefited India through a large number of collaborations, technology transfers and joint ventures. The regime of economic reforms adopted by the two countries has provided opportunities for the both the countries to expand relations in these areas. The direct air link established last year between New Delhi and Vienna was an important development and had helped in promoting bilateral trade and tourism. Austria, a member of the European Union, played an active role in the on-going enlargement process.

Narayanan said it was a historical moment today for India-Austria ties. ''Exactly 50 years ago, in the same month and perhaps on the same day, diplomatic relations between our two countries were established.'' Narayanan thanked Klima and toasted to the continued prosperity of the people Austria, to the 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and to the growing friendship and cooperation between them.

UNI

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