JEDDAH, 24 September 2003 — India is keen to improve relations with Pakistan but a lot of groundwork has to be done before top leaders can meet, according to Minister of State for External Affairs Vinod Khanna.
“We’ve yet to resume air and rail links although the bus service has been resumed between the two countries,” Khanna told reporters here yesterday.
“Pakistan always raises the Kashmir issue but there are other bilateral issues which need to be tackled before that. Kashmir is an integral part of India,” he said.
The minister dispelled fears that India’s improved relations with Israel from whom it is planning to buy Falcon early warning radar system and Arrow missile defense system, will upset the balance in South Asia, especially the military equation with Pakistan.
“We are free to buy arms from whomever we want, just as they are at liberty to make their military purchases. I don’t think this should worry Pakistan or it is going to upset the balance of power in the Indian Subcontinent,” Khanna said.
Khanna expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main constituent of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, would do well in forthcoming assembly elections despite having decided to go it alone in all the five states.
“We have done it before and we are confident that the BJP can do it again.
“We don’t need to enter into electoral understanding with any party,” Khanna added.
About India’s Supreme Court pulling up the Gujarat state government for the slipshod manner in which it conducted the prosecution in the Best Bakery case, Khanna said the court’s instructions were being carried out and there was nothing further he could say in the matter.
Khanna, who led a Haj delegation that included members of Parliament, said he had fruitful discussions with Haj Minister Iyad Madani on Monday. “We put forward some suggestions for improving arrangements for pilgrims. Up to 120,000 Indians are expected to perform Haj in 2004. Of them, 70,000 will come through the Central Haj Committee. The rest will come through private tour operators.”
He defended a government decision to cut Haj subsidy. “It’s only fair that subsidy is not made available to those who pay income tax and can afford the pilgrimage. The resources thus spared can be used for those who cannot.”
Asked whether he would return to Bollywood, the actor-turned politician said: “In fact, the prime minister (Atal Behari Vajpayee) has suggested that I could return to my movie acting career. But I’ve no such plans now as I consider it a great opportunity to work with Vajpayee and (Home Minister Lal Krishna) Advani for the good of the community.”
Khanna later attended a reception held in his honor by Ambassador Kamaluddin Ahmed and Mrs. Raheemunnisa Begum.
