Beijing: China on Thursday tried to pacify India
on a controversial reference in the Sino-US joint statement,
saying that it was not trying to meddle in Indo-Pak ties.
Responding to a question on what China thought was its
role in India-Pakistan relationship, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Qin Gang tried to downplay the significance of
the Sino-US joint statement and said Beijing hopes for
"gradual improvement" in Indo-Pak ties.
"China hopes for a gradual improvement in the relations
between India and Pakistan. As long as it is good for the
stability of the region, China will support the relevant
moves," Qin said at a press briefing, the first after US
President Barack Obama returned after his maiden state visit.
"We believe that India and Pakistan are important
countries in South Asia," he said and went on to explain that
China highly values its bilateral ties with both countries.
India had reacted sharply to the Sino-US joint
statement.
"A third country role cannot be envisaged nor is it
necessary," External Affairs Ministry Spokesman said in a
terse comment yesterday on the joint statement issued on the
conclusion of talks between US President Barack Obama and his
Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao on Tuesday.
Obama and Hu had voiced support for the improvement in
Indo-Pak ties and their readiness to promote peace and
stability in the region, listing the situation in South Asia
among regional and global challenges.
Answering a question on the Indo-US nuclear deal, Qin
said that China and the US did not discuss it during Obama's
talks with the Chinese leadership.
"To the best of my knowledge, this issue was not touched
upon during two Presidents discussions," the spokesman said.
At the same time, he restated China's position saying that the
"relevant countries" are free to enjoy the right for peaceful
use of nuclear energy as along as they adhered to the
objective of non-proliferation.
On a question on the vexed Sino-Indian boundary issue,
Qin did not give a direct reply when asked whether China had
dispute on the land boundary with just one country, India.
He replied that the dispute with India was "more
pronounced" but he did not have information about land border
disputes with other countries.
His comments came as the Chinese media reported today
that China has settled its land boundary dispute with Vietnam,
It had earlier said that the boundary dispute with Russia has
been fully settled.
Qin noted that on territorial issues, China sought to
resolve disputes through friendly consultations. He said China
hoped to resolve the border issue with India using the same
principle.
He noted that in recent years, Sino-Indian relations
have constantly improved and both sides realise that the
border issue should not affect the overall development of
relations between the two countries.
He also noted that till the two countries completely
resolved the boundary issue, the two sides should make efforts
to maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 23:54