China-Pak nexus worrying, says PM

Describing China as a great civilisation, Vajpayee however, said the relations between the two countries have shown marked improvement on various issues, “we shall re-energise the existing mechanism of dialogue to address all issues of mutual concern to move towards an even better relation.”

Talking about Pakistan, he said India wanted friendship with Islamabad and “have always been prepared to resolve our differences and to build a relationship based on trust andgoodwill through dialogue.”

Asked if the Kashmir issue will lead to a fourth war between the two countries, the Prime Minister said, “India does not want a war.”

He said India was committed to exercise strict control over export of nuclear or missile related technology and equipment and remained open to the idea of a non-discriminatory nuclear weapons convention. The Prime Minister said New Delhi was “willing to participate in negotiations aimed at concluding a nuclear weapons convention.”

Such a convention has to be “global, comprehensive and non-discriminatory,” he said, pointing out that India had objected to Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) as it was discriminatory and “does not prevent development of new nuclear weapons through computer simulation.”

Meanwhile, in another interview to a Russian newspaper Trud, Vajpayee said New Delhi was also ready to participate in negotiations aimed at concluding a fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT).

“Our position is very clear. We areprepared to convert the moratorium into a formal commitment after discussions with key interlocutors,” the Prime Minister said.