India for closer ties with Pak
New Delhi, Aug. 20: Defence Minister Swaran Singh today defended as “sound and practical” the Government’s two- fold policy of making the best efforts to normalise relations with Pakistan and at the same time taking continual steps to defend the borders.
“This was the best policy in the circumstances and taking into account our larger purpose of keeping peace in the sub- continent,” he told the Rajya Sabha in reply to a calling attention motion by Mr. Mohan Dharia ( Cong) and others.
He added: “In spite of Pakistan’s polity of non- cooperation and hostility, we shall continue to work for better relations with Pakistan. Notwithstanding this, the House is aware that we have been fully taking into account Pakistan’s acquisition of arms in reequipping our forces. We have also been replacing old equipments with modern substitutes and keeping up our strength in an efficient state according to approved lines.
“I can say that our state of preparedness compares favourably with the magnitude of the threats we have to meet.”
He assured the House that while all effective steps would be taken to deal with any threat to national security, the Government would continue to explore the possibility of reducing tensions and normalising relations.
Dr. Dharia drew attention to reports that all preparations were being made in Pakistan for committing another aggression and asked whether a final notice would be given to Pakistan that the Tashkent agreement was no more in existence and steps would be taken to protect the borders.