The Hindu : `Process of addressing Indian concerns on Sikkim has started'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 29, 2003

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National

`Process of addressing Indian concerns on Sikkim has started'

New Delhi June 28. Echoing the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee's assertion that Sikkim would be recognised by China as part of India with the "passage of time", China today said the process of addressing India's concerns on Sikkim had "already" started and that it would take "some time" for this to come about.

"I think the process has already been started. It will take some time before what you say will come about," the Chinese Ambassador to India, Hua Junduo, told NDTV 24x7 in Shanghai when asked whether the Chinese position in the Joint Declaration was a de facto recognition of Sikkim by China.

"I think we very much appreciate the stand the Indian side has expressed on the question of Tibet, recognising the Tibet Autonomous Region as a part of Chinese territory. In return, China has addressed the proper concerns of India. All I can say is that China has already launched a process to address the concerns of India on the question of Sikkim."

On the Sino-Indian border issue, Mr. Hua said that the agreement reached by the two Prime Ministers in appointing Special Representatives showed the political resolve to address this dispute. "So I can expect a speedy discussion and a more effective way to have this issue resolved." While India has appointed the National Security Adviser, Brajesh Mishra, as its Special Representative, the Chinese side has nominated Dai Bingguo, senior most Vice Minister in the Foreign Ministry. Saying that India and China were "very good" partners "instead of rivals", the envoy said that the declarations by both Prime Ministers clearly stated that the relationship between the two countries was not against any country.

Stating that Mr. Vajpayee's visit had created a "win-win" situation for both sides, he said India and China had improved their mutual trust through this visit. "I think this will lay down a very strong basis for the further development of all round relationship including the political and economic relationship."

Asked if the two countries were now on a "new path", he said: "I think so. As the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said we should bury the past and the past refers to 1962 events. I think both sides have already decided to leave behind this historic baggage for the future years." — PTI

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