'Sino-Indian ties exclusive'

Deputy PM LK Advani said on June 17 in London that India's relations with China stands on its own and it need not be linked to others.

Days before Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is to embark on his visit to China, Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani on Tuesday said India's relations with China stands on its own and it need not be linked to others, including Pakistan.

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"The Indian Prime Minister is due to visit China later in the month. Our relations with China in the past several years have been without any tension and quite normal, despite differences on the border issue and Tibetan refugees," Advani told newsmen.

He said both countries have consciously decided to keep contentious issues away and lay emphasis on areas of cooperation.

"Our relations have improved and relations with China stands on its own. It need not be linked to others," he said when a correspondent sought to know why similar approach could not be adopted in improving India-Pakistan relations.