India, China hold border talks

GANGTOK, APRIL 1. Indian and Chinese army authorities held a commemorative border meeting in east Sikkim's Natu La (pass) today on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The meeting was represented by a 10-member delegation each from Yatung garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Natu La brigade of the Indian Army.

Welcoming the Chinese delegation at the snow-covered pass, located at a height of 14,200 ft., Brig I.N. Rai, who led the Indian delegation, said ``relations between the two countries in the last 50 years have grown from strength to strength,'' a defence release said here.

Both had lived as ``good neighbours'' on the path of peace shown by Jawaharlal Nehru and Zheu En Lai adhering to `Panchsheel'. He said under the leadership of the late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, and the Chinese President, Mr. Jiang Zemin, relations had improved considerably.

Sources at the 17 Mountain Division here said, the meet was ``different'' from the ``routine'' conference held every May and September. ``There was no agenda in today's programme. It was for cultural exchange,'' they added.

The meeting lasted an hour. A cultural programme was organised for the entertainment of the visiting Chinese military delegation.

Cover released

In Beijing, the two countries today jointly released a first day cover to mark the anniversary of diplomatic relations and expressed their desire to forge friendly bilateral ties in the new millennium.

The first day cover, depicting the national flags of the two countries, and the recently-released postage stamps became an instant hit with Chinese stamp collectors.

Addressing the gathering, the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister, Mr. Yang Wenchang, recalled that India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic and that China valued its relationship with India.

He said the coming State visit of the President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, to China would provide an opportunity to boost friendly relations, which he said was crucial to maintaining regional and global stability.

The Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, told PTI that despite odds, Beijing and New Delhi had maintained good neighbourly ties and friendly exchanges had been going on uninterrupted between the people of the two countries.

The Indian Embassy in Beijing brought out a special supplement highlighting the message sent by Mr. K.R. Narayanan and the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee.

- PTI

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