India wants to improve ties with Pakistan and China, says Rajnath Singh

Pointing out that India never had expansionist tendencies, the Home Minister said, "We believe that all issues, whether relating to boundary or terrorism, can be resolved through talks."

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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and J&K Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh meeting ITBP jawans during the inauguration of 47th Battalion of ITBP Campus in Kagwal area of Samba, in Jammu on Monday. (Source: PTI)

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that India wants to improve relations with China and Pakistan as there cannot be peace in Asia unless the three countries share good ties.

“We want better relationships with China and Pakistan. Peace cannot prevail in Asia and the continent cannot prosper… till India’s relations with them improve,” he said. “India never had, has or will have expansionist tendencies… we only want to defend our frontiers,” he said, adding: “We believe that all issues… can be resolved through talks”.

However, there will be no compromise on the safety, security and dignity of the country, he said while addressing a function organised on the sidelines of the inauguration of the ITBP complex at Ghagwal in Samba district.

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The Home Minister arrived here on Monday morning as part of his three day visit to the State especially the border with China where ITBP jawans are deployed.

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He said that India always wanted to have good relations with all its neighbours and that is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited heads of all the neighbouring nations to his swearing in ceremony.

However, while expressing desire to have good relations with China, the Prime Minister also made it clear that all outstanding issues between the two countries shall be resolved and transgression should be stopped, he added.

He also assured better road connectivity in border areas manned by ITBP, adding that construction of 804 kms long roads were ordered in 2008. However, due to some reasons including practical difficulties, only 151 kms of these roads could be built so far, he pointed out.

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“In the second phase, we have decided to construct 812 kms road length,” he said, adding that that 34 border roads will be constructed during the period.

Apart from this, the government has also sanctioned construction of mobile towers providing mobile telecommunication at 35 border posts. The work in this connection has also started.

Pointing out that the government wants to have a well equipped and modern ITBP, Rajnath Singh said that its seven battalions have been deployed at high altitude border areas.

For better acclimatisation of its personnel moving to high altitude areas, a transit camp accommodating 240 personnel at a time is being launched at Leh, he added. He also announced relaxation in height by 5 cms for male and 2 cms for females in Jammu Kashmir who wish to join ITBP.

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