Beijing, June 24
China today clarified that Sikkim was a question left over from history and cannot be resolved “overnight’’.
The clarification came in the wake of media reports that China had implicitly recognised Sikkim as a part of India by agreeing to start trade between the two countries from Nathu La Pass.
“It is an enduring question. Sikkim is a question left over from history. It cannot be resolved overnight,’’ Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quam told reporters here.
The two Prime Ministers had also agreed to expand border trade from one or two more points, in addition to the two points — Lipulekh Pass in Uttaranchal and Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh — from
which it was already going on.
However, he was evasive on whether one of the new trade points would be in Sikkim. “If you see the map, you will know from where the border trade can be conducted,’’ the spokesman said.
Briefing reporters, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said India’s position on the Tibetan Autonomous Region TAR had been consistent and continue to be same today.
About Sikkim, he said the present Chinese leadership was attempting to see the issue as part of history. “But we have taken a very important step forward.’’
According to a joint statement, the two countries agreed that their foreign ministers will meet annually with a view to deepen their coordination and dialogue on bilateral, regional and international issues.
Mr Sinha said the Chinese Premier had described the joint declaration as “making a new stage of development in our relations and document of historic importance’’.
Mr Vajpayee’s meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Chinese Military Commission Jiang Zemin, National Peoples Congress Chairman Wu Pangguo, Vice-President Zeng Qinghong had enabled him to establish a personal relationship with the new Chinese leadership.
The External Affairs Minister said, “this is of particular importance and we now expect our two countries to be working together more closely in the years ahead on the basis of agreements arrived at during this visit’’. —
UNI
