New Delhi
13 February 2007
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Tuesday sought to
reassure India that Beijing's first anti-satellite missile test was conducted for scientific
reasons and was not directed against any country. External Affairs Minister Pranab
Mukherjee responded by reiterating New Delhi's principled opposition to weaponisation
of outer space and looked forward to holding more consultations with Beijing on this
issue. India and China apparently agreed to disagree with both sides acknowledging the
need for "mutual political trust".
Indian Ambassador to Beijing Ms Nirupama Rao, who is in New Delhi, on Tuesday told a
news conference that the Chinese side provided a "suo motu briefing" on the issue. She
said that Foreign Minister Li stressed that China was against weaponisation and
militarisation of outer space and the recent test was "purely of technological and
scientific nature". He said that the test was not directed against any other country.
Articulating New Delhi's position, Ms Rao said External Affairs Mukherjee emphasised
that India was opposed to weaponisation of outer space, which should be preserved as a
"common peaceful heritage". Mr Mukherjee said that the international community should
evolve a legal framework to prevent weaponisation of space. Ms Rao deflected a
question whether India was satisfied with the Chinese assurance by saying that the
dialogue on the issue was ongoing and more consultations would take place in future.
[In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on Tuesday said China is
cooperating with Russia and some other nations to sign a new treaty to prevent arms
race in space. She has told reporters that China, Russia and some other countries are
actively urging the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva to sign a treaty preventing
arms race in space through negotiations.)
Chinese Foreign Minister Li on Tuesday held talks with Mr Mukherjee on a host of
bilateral, regional and international issues. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson
Navtej Sarna told reporters that they had a restricted meeting for about 45 minutes
followed by delegation-level talks and a working lunch. The interaction lasted about two
and a half hours. Mr Li will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday.
India and China also stressed that their special representatives needed to "further
intensify" their dialogue for early settlement of the boundary question on the basis of the
political parameters and guiding principles signed in 2005.
On India's bid for a permanent seat in the expanded United Nations Security Council,
China was ambivalent, merely saying that it was well aware of New Delhi's "legitimate
aspirations" and supports it playing more role in the international arena.
To a question on India's aspiration for civil nuclear energy, Ms Rao said both countries
have underlined the need for cooperation in this field as it is essential for them to meet
their developmental goals.
China, which conducted its first anti-satellite missile test on January 11, kept mum about
it until the United States and others put pressure on Beijing to confirm or deny US
intelligence reports. Confirming the test, some two weeks after it was conducted, China
has repeatedly claimed that its action has not violated any international treaties and will
not trigger an arms race in space. Countries like the US and Japan have openly criticised
China for the test, which is said to have caused hundreds of debris in space.
// HIGHLIGHTS //
* A joint task force to complete regional trading agreement (RTA) before end of October
2007
* Hotline put in place between foreign ministers
* Institutionalised meetings of/on strategic issues, joint working group, policy planning,
foreign office consultation, security and counter-terrorism will place this year
* Work on setting up consulates in Guangzhou and Kolkata will be completed within 2007
* Tourism offices will be set up in China and India on the occasion of the Year of
Friendship Through Tourism
* Talks at an early date for further liberalising visas
* A 100-member Indian youth delegation will visit China in June and a 100-member
Chinese delegation will visit India in October this year
* India constitutes expert committee to discuss trans-border issues; China is ready to
set up a similar committee
* China will improve transport and medical facilities for Indian pilgrims to Kailas
Mansarovar; India has asked China for opening additional route for pilgrims via
Damchok in Ladakh
* Bangladesh China India Myanmar car rally planned from Kunming to Kolkata in last
quarter of 2007
* China has supported India's bid for 2014 Asian Games; will share its experience with
India of holding a large sporting event
* China will take part in SAARC as observer in April
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