India - China: Relations And Developments-2

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‘India stands by Chinese assurance on respecting territorial integrity’

Sandeep Dikshit

China abides by the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence

The article appears to be an expression of individual opinion

NEW DELHI: The Foreign Office on Tuesday said it stood by assurance given by top Chinese leadership rather than pay heed to an article by a Chinese think tank analyst recommending the dismemberment of India.

“The Chinese side has conveyed to us that in approaching India-China relations, China abides by the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. One of these principles stresses on respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.

“We have seen the media reports. India and China have strategic and cooperative partnership. There is multi-sectoral engagement between the two countries and the pace of exchanges has gained momentum in recent years. Both sides have agreed to continue this momentum, while seeking to resolve outstanding issues, including the boundary question through peaceful dialogue and consultations, and with mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns,” he added.

India feels the article appears to be an expression of individual opinion and does not accord with the officially stated position of China on India-China relations conveyed to New Delhi, including at the highest level, most recently by China’s State Councillor Dai Bingguo during his visit to the country last week. “We continue to maintain that opinions and assessment on the state of India-China relations should be expressed after careful judgement based on the long-term interests of building a stable relationship between the two countries,” Mr. Prakash observed.