New Delhi, November 28
India and China are committed to maintain peace in the border areas pending the final settlement of the boundary issue and expedite the work on clarifying the Line of Actual Control, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Parliament today.
In a suo motu statement on the recent visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao in the two houses of Parliament, Mr Mukherjee said:"Both sides expressed the commitment that pending the final settlement of the boundary question, they will maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and expedite the work of clarification and confirmation of the Line of Actual Control".
Referring to members' concerns over the Chinese envoy's remarks on Arunachal Pradesh, he said he had "unambiguously rejected" the Chinese contention, saying that the North-Eastern state was an integral part of India.
The matter was also taken up with the Chinese government immediately through the Indian Ambassador in Beijing and "our disappointment and concern over the statement clearly conveyed", the Minister said.
Mr Mukherjee said the visit also offered an opportunity to "send out a strong signal" to the international community that as good neighbours and partners, there was enough space for the two countries to develop together in a mutually supportive manner while remaining "sensitive to each other's concerns and aspirations".
Observing that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Chinese President expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the Special Representatives, Mr Mukherjee said both leaders agreed that an early resolution of the boundary question “will advance the basic interests of the two countries".
They directed the Special Representatives to intensify their work to expeditiously explore the framework of a boundary settlement on the basis of the Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles signed in April last year.
"On the whole, both sides are satisfied with the outcome of Chinese President's visit to India, which is expected to give a significant boost to our joint efforts to seek an all-round development of India-China relations while addressing the outstanding issues in a frank, purposive and proactive manner", he said.
On the issue of the reform of the UN Security Council, Mr Mukherjee said Hu reiterated the assurance given by the Chinese Prime Minister that China understood and supported New Delhi's aspirations to play a bigger role in the UN, including in the Security Council. China would be happy to see India succeeded in its endeavour to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, he said.
Important understandings were reached for continued expansion of border trade and greater facilitation of Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, Mr Mukherjee added.
In the Rajya Sabha, the External Affairs Minister's statement was made interrupting the discussion on the issue of internal security.
A discussion on Mr Hu's visit is slated in the Lok Sabha next week.
