The Hindu Business Line : S. Asian region urged to improve ties

THE Minister for External Affairs, Mr Yashwant Sinha, today said the South Asian region could become a European Union if every country in the region worked for improving ties among the countries.

Addressing a seminar on `India's relationship with Middle-East and neighbouring countries' here, Mr Singh said if every country in the region joined the effort, South Asia could become a European Union.

Mr Sinha, who spoke on a range of issues, said the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan would meet in August. Referring to the just-concluded talks between the two sides in Islamabad today, he said there would be no back-pedalling as far as improving relationships with Pakistan.

Denying the charge that the United States was exerting pressure on India and Pakistan, he said the US had no role. "It is playing the role of friend," he said.

He said the people of Iraq must take over the responsibility of governing themselves.

Allaying fears on establishing relationship with Israel, the External Affairs Minister said there was no tilt in favour of that country. Alluding to some Arab countries establishing ties with Israel, he said India would not dilute its commitment to the Palestine cause. "We have been telling Israel time and again that they should find a solution to the Palestine issue. The spiral of violence should stop in the Middle-East," he said.