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Kargil will feature prominently in talks with China

The Pakistan-supported intrusion in the Kargil sector is expected to figure prominently in External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh's talks with Chinese leaders during his visit to Beijing beginning early next week.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, an external affairs ministry spokesman said the two sides were bound to discuss all matters of mutual interest. ''It is an official visit between two big Asian neighbours... The minister is visiting Beijing in response to an official invitation'', he added.

India is likely to stress that it was determined to vacate the intrusion, which had the full backing of the Pakistani authorities. Asked for his reaction to Pakistani Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz's unscheduled visit to Beijing prior to his arrival in New Delhi on June 12, the spokesman said, ''As far as diplomatic activity of Pakistan is concerned, I would not like to comment''.

The spokesman said he would not like to anticipate the outcome of the talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan. He was asked if any positive outcome could be expected, given the fact that New Delhi wanted the Kargil issue alone to be discussed while Islamabad was insisting on debating all issues between the two countries.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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