| Indian Prime Minister Meets with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in New Deli |
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| 2004-11-28 14:26 |
On 20 October 2004, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan of China, who is on an official goodwill visit to India, in New Deli.
Singh said that the Indian side attaches great importance to its relationship with China. Friendly cooperation between the two sides is conducive to both countries and of great significance to the global order. India-China relations are moving towards the right direction, and the sides should focus on the overall picture of bilateral relations and seize every opportunity. He stated that the Indian side is looking forward to the early visit by Primer Wen Jiabao to India and stands ready to work together with the Chinese side to make the visit fruitful and push for the development of bilateral relations.
Tang Jiaxuan said that China-India relations have entered a new stage of all-round development and exerted significant influence both in the region and in the world. The Chinese Government will continue to pursue the policy of good-neighbourliness and friendship towards Indian and stands ready to make joint efforts with the Indian side to perceive and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and overall perspective, act on the spirit of the Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India, sincerely expand and deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all fields, pay mutual respect to the bilateral relations, properly handle the border issue and other issues left over by history, and bring to a new high the long-term, constructive and cooperative China- India partnership.
During his visit, Tang Jiaxuan also had separate meetings with Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh and National Security Advisor and Special Representative of India on the Boundary Issue between China and India Dixit. The two sides both agreed to strengthen high-level contacts, conduct strategic dialogues at an early date, improve negotiation mechanisms of all kinds, enhance political mutual trust, map out new objectives for bilateral trade so that their economic cooperation and trade may accord with their economic situations, carry out active discussion on the establishment of China-India Free Trade Area; promote exchanges and cooperation in all fields such as culture, science and technology, environmental protection, energy, media and tourism; enhance coordination and cooperation in international affairs and work together for an active role in maintaining peace and development.
The two sides gave positive appraisals to the three rounds of negotiations held between the two Special Representatives on the Boundary Issue and expressed their hopes to reach consensus as soon as possible on the guiding principles for resolving the boundary issue and arduously seek for a just and rational solution.
The Indian side stressed that India's position on China's Tibet question is consistent, i.e. not allowing Dalai to engage in any political activity in India. With regard to the Taiwan question, India will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, which Tang Jiaxuan appreciated.
Tang Jiaxuan also met with India's opposition party leader Advani.
Tang Jiaxuan arrived in New Deli in the evening of 18 October, kicking off his official goodwill visit to India.
(Information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC ) |
Bilateral Visits