Beijing, June 25: Terming the accords reached by India and China as a "win-win" situation for both of them, external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha today said the border agreement has "recognised" the Nathula Pass in Sikkim as a "border pass" between the two countries. "We have signed a border agreement in which Nathula Pass has been recognised as a border pass between China and India through which trade will be facilitated," he said in an interview.
Asked if this meant a tacit admission by China over India`s claims on Sikkim, Sinha said "You can read the language for yourself. I do not know why there should be any doubt about anything". Sinha, who is accompanying Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his six-day visit to China, said that two border passes in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal have already been recognised by China for border trade. To a question if there was any confusion on the Indian position on Tibet, the minister said "If you look at the language which India has consistently used over the last 50 years, you will find that we have consistently taken a position".

Sinha said "I would say there is no change in India`s position and it continues to be consistent with the past positions we have taken.

"The Tibet autonomous region was created in 1965 and after that one has been referring to that part as Tibet autonomous region".

On whether there is any change vis-a-vis India`s stand regarding Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai lama, Sinha said "I don`t think there is any change there".

To a question if he thought both india and China were `happy` over the understandings reached, he said "You can have a win-win situation for both".

The decision to upgrade talks on the border issue with the appointment of special political representatives, was described by the minister as a "very big development". The desire on the part of both the countries to move forward with greater speed to sort out issues as urgently as possible.

"This was an oustanding visit. The Chinese side said the first visit by Prime Minister Vajpayee as foreign minister in 1979 had succeeded in ice breaking. And this time, they said it has been the beginning of a new era".

Asked about `body language` between the Indian and Chinese leaderships, Sinha said there was "great deal of warmth, cordiality and candour.

"You could`nt have asked for better atmospherics. There was no attempt on the part of either country to avoid any issue or evade or sweep an issue under the carpet. Issues were discused frankly and freely".

On whether more high level visits between India and China were planned, the minister said many more visits would take place before the year was out.

Bureau Report