(a) whether the second phase of the 7th round of Indo-Sino border talks were held in India recently;
(b) if so, the details of the discussions held and the progress made in regard to settlement of border dispute between the two countries;
(c) the future strategy chalked out by both the countries for early solution to the problems;
(d) whether India`s recent nuclear treaty with USA also figured during the talks; and
(e) if so, the reaction of the Chinese Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)
(a) The Seventh Round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the boundary question was held in New Delhi and Kumarakom from March 11 to 13, 2006.
(b) During the talks, the two Special Representatives continued their discussions for an agreed framework for the resolution of the India-China boundary question in a constructive and friendly atmosphere.
(c) Based on the first five rounds of talks between the Special Representatives, both sides signed the `Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for Settlement of India-China Boundary Question` on April 11, 2005 during the visit of the Chinese Premier, H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao to India. This marked the end of the first phase of negotiations. In the second phase of negotiations, the two Special Representatives are mandated to work out an agreed framework for a boundary settlement on the basis of the aforementioned Agreement. Such an agreed framework will provide the basis for the delineation and demarcation of the India-China boundary to be subsequently undertaken by civil and military officials and surveyors of the two sides. No timeframe has been fixed for the final settlement of the boundary question. Both India and China have expressed the conviction that an early settlement of the boundary question will advance the basic interests of the two countries and should, therefore, be pursued as a strategic objective.
(d) On the margins of the Seventh Round of talks between the Special Representatives, India`s Special Representative and National Security Advisor, Shri M.K. Narayanan briefed his Chinese counterpart on the recent visit of the US President Bush to India, including on the nuclear understanding as contained in the Indo-US Joint Statement of July 18, 2005.
(e) China has stated that international cooperation on peaceful use of nuclear energy should be in conformity with the requirements and provisions of the international non-proliferation regime and the obligations undertaken by all countries concerned.