ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Sino-Indian talks will settle issues: Fernandes

Talks between India and China will lead to a satisfactory settlement of the issues between the two countries, Union Defence Minister George Fernandes said today.

''I reciprocate China's commitment on the ongoing dialogue between New Delhi and Beijing,'' the defence minister said in a statement from Port Blair.

Fernandes's statement comes in the wake of the controversy generated following his remarks describing China as the 'biggest threat' to India.

''It appears there is a feeling in certain circles that I am not keen on a Sino-Indian dialogue to resolve the outstanding issues between the two countries,'' Fernandes said a day after China lashed out at his statement that Beijing was the 'biggest threat' to India.

''During the Krishna Menon memorial lecture on Sunday, my emphasis was precisely on creating peace and amity between India and China and between India and Pakistan,'' he said in statement released by the defence ministry.

''Of course, I put the spotlight on the contentious issues with our neighbours with the purpose of making the Indian people conscious about them.''

''This is because I do believe that matters of national security must become people's concern,'' he said.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report