Friday, May 13 2005 10:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A strong plea for further opening up of people-to-people and business ties with Pakistan and China was made in Lok Sabha yesterday (May 12, 2005), even as members warned the Government not to allow any "third party" to interfere and spoil India's growing relations with its crucial neighbours.

"No third party can interfere in the peace process we have sincerely started (with Pakistan). This process should be made irreversible," Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM) leader Rupchand Pal said while initiating a special discussion on the Prime Minister's statement in the House on the recent visits of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Observing that the "enormous emotional bondage" recently created between the peoples of India and Pakistan could not be done away with by any political power, Pal said when the two countries were strengthening their relations and the peace process, the US "suddenly says we will give F-16s (fighter aircraft) to Pakistan".

India should further strengthen its trilateral links with Russia and China, he said and asserted New Delhi should never fall prey to "imperialist machinations" to use it to contain China.

Pal was joined by Congress member K S Rao who said, "No nation, however strong, can ever think of dominating other nations in today's world."

If India and China came together, like in the field of information technology, they will dominate the 21st century, he said, adding, "The trust and confidence built up now should not be allowed to be disturbed by any other power."

Ram Gopal Yadav (Samajwadi Party) welcomed the recent initiatives taken by the Government to usher in peace with China and Pakistan.

However, he said, India should be "cautious" in our relations with China which had earlier supported military dictatorships in Pakistan.