MANALI, 31 May 2005 — Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee called on the people to change their mindsets with changing times to help in forging a solution to the vexed problem of Kashmir.
While, welcoming the improvement in Indo-Pak ties, Vajpayee said yesterday that in these changing times, it was crucial for those still warped in anti-Pakistan attitude to abandon it.
He said: “The times are changing fast, our relations (with our neighbors) are improving and with that our mindset too should change.”
Vajpayee was speaking at a BJP workers rally at the Kullu district in Manali.
Vajpayee, however, added a rider to his statement. Improvement in Indo-Pak ties, however, does not imply that there should be no check on terrorism.
“It must stop,” Vajpayee said. “We want to tell Pakistan that the problem cannot be solved through arms and all issues including Kashmir can be solved by discussing them again and again,” he said.
Referring to BJP President L.K. Advani’s visit to Pakistan (which began yesterday), Vajpayee said: “Our relations have improved so much that Advani is visiting Pakistan today at their invitation and he will also emphasize that the problems cannot be solved by killing innocent people.”
Vajpayee assured full cooperation from BJP to the present government in improving trade ties with Pakistan and China. He drew attention to the fact that Pakistan was buying wheat from India at cheaper rates.
Before leaving for Pakistan, Advani told party members: “During my trip, I will lay stress on development of friendly relations between the two countries.”
Advani said: “The initiatives for the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan were taken by the NDA government. The present government has carried these forward. My visit to Pakistan will be helpful in this regard.”
The issue of terrorism is expected to figure in Advani’s talks with Pakistani leaders. However, the tone of his comments suggests that Advani is not likely to target and blame Pakistan for “encouraging” and “sponsoring” terrorism.
Describing terrorism as a “threat” to India and Pakistan, Advani said: “Both should get rid of it.”
Hinting that he is ever ready to quit politics, Vajpayee said yesterday that there is no dearth of second-rung leaders in the party and there is no competition among them.
