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Fernandes calls for greater dialogue with China

Defence Minister George Fernandes on Thursday called for concerted efforts to raise the level of dialogue between India and China to resolve the issues that have been pending for a long time.

''If India and China learn to cooperate with each other, the fallout of such a cooperation will not help just the two countries but the entire Asian region. Tension between us -- expressed or unexpressed -- creates a sense of insecurity in the entire Asian region,'' he told the media in Jaisalmer.

Asked as to what level the dialogue should be taken, Fernandes said this matter had to be considered at various fora. He said it was his belief that, just as in human relationship, frankness and openness pays towards improving ties between countries.

Regarding his recent statements on China after the test-firing of the Ghauri missile by Pakistan, the defence minister said, ''It was my general perception about national security. One must be aware of the entire situation. It was no obsession nor are there any personal prejudices. Mine was the objective analysis of national security concern. What I had referred to is that protecting a country from any attack from any quarter, it is more important that there is a dialogue. I believe that with all our neighbours we should extend the scope of dialogue and frankly discuss the issue.''

Asked if the issue of positioning of missiles by China in Tibet and its alleged assistance to Pakistan in the development of missiles should also be taken up, he did not give a straight reply, but said, ''Contents should be expanded''.

Fernandes recalled that well-known China specialist Edgar Snow had told him after the 1962 operation that ''no matter how you feel, India and China must learn to live in friendship. When you begin to do that you will change the course of history''. This was the key to many things, the defence minister said.

On reports that the Chinese army chief was likely to visit India later this month, the minister said, ''I am looking forward to the visit and I have reason to believe that it will be fruitful for both sides''.

On Indo-US defence cooperation, he said, ''We have been constantly having dialogue and there is an ongoing exchange of visits. We should make efforts to strengthen this.''

About Russia, he said India had a long-standing treaty with Moscow for military and technical cooperation whereas with the US the relationship was more recent.

UNI

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