India expresses concern over China's nuclear sales to Pakistan
India has expressed serious concern to
China over its supply of M-11 missiles to Pakistan and assistance
to Islamabad's weapons-oriented nuclear programme.
This concern was conveyed to the Chinese side at different levels
during official talks between the Indian and Chinese leaders,
Foreign Secretary Salman Haider said.
Haider said the Chinese, however, reiterated their position
that missile transfers were within the Missile Technology Control
Regime and the nuclear assistance was only for peaceful
purposes.
Referring to the agreements, including that on confidence
building measures in the military field along the line of actual
control, the foreign secretary said these would contribute to the constructive
co-operation between the two countries and enhance mutual
understanding and trust.
Haider described the border-related agreement as a major step
towards efforts for a peaceful settlement of the boundary question.
"This is a substantive, useful and forward looking
agreement,'' he said at a media briefing soon after the agreement was signed.
Asked how soon the agreement would be implemented in
terms of armaments and personnel reduction, Haider said the
political leadership had given clear instructions to the joint
working group on the boundary question and its experts group
to accelerate the process.
''However, giving a timetable for this step would be rash,'' he
added.
The next session of the ministerial-level joint economic group will met
early next year to prepare a blueprint for economic co-operation.
Haider said the India-China sub-group on science and
technology would also meet early next year.
The foreign secretary said the Chinese had raised the issue of Sikkim's annexation
to India but India reiterated its stand that Sikkim was an integral
part of the country.
The Chinese also raised the issue of the Dalai Lama's presence in India.
India, Haider said, conveyed its
position that the Tibetan leader was an honoured guest in this country even though he
was not permitted to indulge in political activities.
UNI
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