Bardhan urges change in India's foreign policy

Bats for better relations with neighbouring countries

Hyderabad : Veteran CPI leader A B Bardhan appealed to the UPA government to change its pro-US foreign policy and work for friendly relations with key neighbouring countries like China and Pakistan.

Bardhan pointed out that India's ties with its neighbours cannot be dictated by America. He stated that the left wants friendly relations with countries including America, but is subservience to none.

Delivering the keynote address at 'Indian foreign policy vis-� -vis neighbouring nations-problems and challenges' held at Basheerbagh Press Club here on Thursday, Bardhan stated that an anti-imperialism foreign policy alone would serve well for the nation.

Terming foreign policy as a very important subject, the communist leader reminded that more than 100 countries looked towards India as it followed the non-aligned policy.

He, however, stated that India's relations with neighbouring countries have never been friendly in the past. Bardhan observed that India and China share a common border that was not clearly demarcated on the ground.

"The border issue with China has been in the news for some time now. It should be resolved through negotiations. Finding a solution by holding one or two meetings might not be possible, but there is every chance of a positive result with more sittings," he added.

The left leader pointed out that there were many border disputes in Europe, like in the case of France and Germany, which were eventually resolved through discussions. Bardhan said that good neighboring relations with China were important and added that it was the need of the hour."The Chinese Prime Minister is soon visiting India. This would be followed by a reciprocal gesture by Indian Prime Minister. I hope these visits would help in improving bilateral ties between both countries," he said.

Commenting on Pakistan, another important neighbouring nation, Bardhan opined that formation of a democratically elected government without intervention of the military was indeed a good development for India. The statement given by Nawaz Sharif that his government would work for better ties with India should be welcomed. "The fact that there was no India bashing talk during the Pakistan polls goes to show the increased maturity levels of Pakistan electorate," he added.

Bardhan batted for friendly relations with Pakistan and said that it should be given top priority. The neighboring country should be convinced about the Jammu and Kashmir issue through discussions, said Bardhan, and hoped that there would be happy ending to the issue.

"India should not act as a big brother with Nepal, which shares a common border with China on the North and India on the South. Any friendly relations that Nepal is maintaining with the Buddhist nation should not be seen with a negative frame of mind," the left leader said.

Have no tilt towards US, says Suravaram

CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy called upon the people of the country to mount pressure on the UPA government to have an independent foreign policy without tilting towards US. Friendly relations with neighbouring countries were at a low level due to a weak foreign policy besides lack of political maturity, he said.

Speaking at a seminar on 'Indian foreign policy ', Suravaram said that India should have taken a lead in improving relations with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which were affected due to various incidents. The border issue with China would be solved only by discussions and not war, he felt. The senior communist leader suggested bilateral trade and tourism as major sectors that could pave way in maintaining friendly relations with neighbouring countries.

Aziz Pasha, Former MP, Laxminarayana, Director of Neelam Rajasekhara Reddy Research Centre, Palla Venkat Reddy of Chandra Rajeshwara Rao Foundation and M Vijay Kumar also took part in the seminar.