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Gujral endorses Vajpayee's stand on Pak talks

Former prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral fully endorsed the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government's stand regarding resumption of dialogue with Pakistan, stating that restoration of confidence and trust require sanctification of the Line of Control and a stop to abetting militancy.

India needs to be assured that what it faced in Kargil will not be repeated in other parts, Gujral said in an interview with the daily, Oman Observer.

The former prime minister, who was recently in Moscow to attend the former foreign ministers meet, said the leaders of the two countries should work out a mechanism for durable peace, covering all aspects of Indo-Pak relations. But these issues should be discussed in an atmosphere of mutual trust.

Referring to the Gujral doctrine, he said the future of the sub- continent lies in cooperation and friendship. Other options would cause all-round misery and thwart the process of development that is urgently needed.

He said the Gujral doctrine means methods leading to good neighbourliness.

Gujral said the Lahore Declaration was a courageous step to further the process of bilateral friendship. The Pakistani intrusion caused a severe damage to this achievement and made us wonder whether the Lahore Declaration was a charade or an ill-perceived mirage, he added.

He said it is incumbent upon all parties to ensure that the legacy of democracy is preserved while canvassing for votes in the parliamentary elections.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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