Refer Sino-India border row to International court: Jethmalani

Mumbai, May 15: Former Law Minister and Rajya Sabha member, Ram Jethmalani, has urged the Narendra Modi government to refer the long-pending Sino India border dispute to the International Court of Justice for a decision.

"We (India) will have to take our fight to the International Court of Justice...This is what I wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a short note on the eve of his visit to China", said Jethmalani at a function here last night. The eminent lawyer also said this was the way to find a peaceful solution to the problem and he was ready to argue India's case if the Government opted for such a course.

"I offer to fight the case on behalf of India (in the International Court of Justice)," he said. "We do not want a war with China on the issue but have to seek a solution in a peaceful way through legal means", Jethmalani, who was the Chief Guest at a function here to confer literary awards on eminent Sindhi writers, said.

"No Indian Prime Minister who had visited China in the past has brought any tangible results and this includes Atal Bihari Vajpayee", Jethmalani said in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to China.

The 93-year-old lawyer-cum-politician was speaking at a function organised by Sahyog Foundation and Akhil Bhartiya Sindhi Boli and Sahitya Sabha to honour Sindhi writers and social workers with awards. Jethmalani, who has championed the cause of bringing black money of Indians stashed away in foreign banks, said "I am ready to go alone in this battle even if those who had joined me earlier in this endeavour leave me."

"The battle for restoration of black money illegally siphoned off abroad is estimated to be around US $ 1,500 billion, equivalent to Rs 90 lakh crore and I promise to get this back to India", the legal luminary said. Jethmalani also demanded a 24-hour television channel to promote the Sindhi language and culture.

He said he would take up with the Centre his demand for such channel. On the occasion, K Sital, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) from Hong Kong, was felicitated with an award for his significant contribution to promotion of Sindhi culture though his magazine "Indian" which has circulation over the world.

Philanthropist and NRI from Dubai, Ram Buxani, inaugurated a cultural programme held on the occasion, while Ram Jawhrani, Chairman of Sahyog Foundation, gave a brief introduction of the awards instituted for Sindhi scholars.

PTI