China asked to ensure Pak aid not used against India

Pakistan continues to create lots of problems for India through acts of cross-border terrorism, BJP President Nitin Gadkari, who held wide-ranging talks with Chinese leaders yesterday, told the Indian media here.

Gadkari said he told the Chinese leaders that whatever help China is providing to Pakistan, be that of nuclear reactors and military assistance, there is a "possibility it can be used against India."

"Pakistan government is supporting terrorism and sponsoring cross-border terrorism," he said, adding that in such a situation China`s support to Pakistan may also mean "supporting terrorism."

"So I requested them (Chinese leaders) that since China is also against terrorism, use your good offices and just tell Pakistan to stop all terrorist activities sponsored by Pakistan government," he said.

Gadkari, who is on a five-day goodwill visit to China, held talks with Li Changchun, the fifth ranking member of the powerful politburo of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) yesterday besides Ai Ping, the Chinese Vice-Minister in the International department of the CPC.

He said the Chinese leaders listened to his views and "assured" him that they will refer them to competent authority and covey his feelings to them.

Besides urging China to step up pressure on Pakistan to stop exporting terror to India, he said he had conveyed his party`s opposition to issuance of stapled visas to Kashmiris and residents of Arunachal Pradesh.

In a statement issued after the talks yesterday, Gadkari said, according to his party, China still occupies 38,000 square kilometres of Indian territory in Ladakh and another 5,000 square kilometres ceded to it by Pakistan in Kashmir.

He also expressed concern over reports of the Chinese troops` presence in PoK.

"The Indian Government has independently verified and confirmed that PLA troops had entered the region," he said.

Gadkari also opposed any talks between India and Pakistan without Islamabad stopping use of terrorism as a weapon against New Delhi.

"We are ready for any talks, but first of all Pakistan- sponsored terrorism activities should be stopped. Even Indian government has submitted lot of evidence to them. Without stopping sponsorship of terrorism against India it is not possible for Indian people to maintain good relations with Pakistan," he said.

"We are also interested (in talks) but at the same time they should stop all terrorist activities. They should take stern action against the people who are involved in terrorist activities," Gadkari said.

In his press conference today, the BJP chief said that during his talks with Chinese leaders he stressed that it was very important for both countries to improve their relations to take advantage of the prevailing international economy.

The Chinese leaders, for their part, were very keen to improve the relations on the business and trade front, He said.

Asked whether Tibet came up during the talks, Gadkari said "no."

The Chinese leaders talked about improving the party-to- party, people-to-people contacts.

"My feeling is they are very much interested in improving economic relations in trade and business. This is the time to solve our problems," he said.