Faizabad, Feb 07: Asserting that relations with Pakistan were improving, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today expressed the hope that all pending issues with China would also be settled.
''Talks with China are on and we hope to achieve positive results,'' Vajpayee said addressing a public rally here. The rally was the first in a series of meetings by the BJP in Uttar Pradesh in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls.
Relations with Pakistan were improving on desired note, he said adding, ''We hope to resolve all issues through negotiations.''
''Pakistan, though hesitant in the beginning, has accepted our hand of friendship and things are heading in the right direction,'' he reiterated.
The Prime Minister attributed India's peace initiatives to the honesty and risk-taking capacity of the government.

''Jammu and Kashmir is 'comparatively' peaceful, borders are peaceful barring a few stray incidents, infiltration has stopped and people are happy with these developments,'' he added.

However, sounding a note of caution, he said despite peace on its borders, the country was ever vigilant and not in the mood to lower its guard.
Vajpayee also said he had convinced his Pakistan counterpart that both the countries were facing poverty and unemployment and funds should be utilised for the betterment of the people.
Bureau Report