Question : BILATERAL ISSUES WITH CHINA

(a) whether Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh have allegedly been shown as part of its territory by China in a recently published map and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(b) whether there are reports suggesting that China also proposes to construct a rail link through the Indian territory under Pakistani occupation and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the said issues have been taken up with China at bilateral level and other fora and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Chinese Government thereto;

(d) whether an Indian delegation visited China recently and if so, the details of the discussions held during the visit and the outcome thereof; and

(e) the efforts made/being made by the Government to resolve the bilateral issues with China?

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 135 REGARDING “BILATERAL ISSUES WITH CHINA” FOR ANSWER ON 16.07.2014

(a) China disputes the international boundary between India and China. In the Eastern Sector, China claims approximately 90,000 square kilometers of Indian territory in the State of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian territory under the occupation of China in Jammu & Kashmir is approximately 38,000 sq. kms. In addition, under the so-called China-Pakistan “Boundary Agreement” signed between China and Pakistan on 2 March 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. kms. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China. The fact that Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are integral and inalienable parts of India has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions, including at the highest level.

(b) Government has seen reports with regard to China constructing a rail link through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Government has conveyed its concerns to China about their activities in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, and asked them to cease such activities. China regards Kashmir as a bilateral matter to be settled between India and Pakistan.

(c) Yes Madam. The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India on June 8-9, 2014 as the Special Envoy of the President of China. The External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj held extensive discussions with him. The discussions were comprehensive and substantive and various issues of significance were raised and discussed in a frank and candid manner.

(d) At the invitation of the Vice President of China, the Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari, paid an official visit to China from June 26 to 30, 2014. The Vice President held bilateral discussions at Beijing on June 30, 2014 with his counterpart, Vice President Li Yuanchao of China and called on President Xi Jinping. He attended events to mark the 60th anniversary of ‘Panchsheel’ at Beijing on June 28-29, 2014. MoU on Cooperation on Industrial Parks in India, MoU concerning communication and cooperation of training in the area of Capacity Building of Public Officials and the Implementation Plan for Provision of Hydrological Information of the Yarlung Zangbu/Brahmaputra River in Flood Season by China to India were signed during the visit. The Encyclopaedia of India-China Cultural Contacts was also released in the presence of two Vice Presidents.

(e) There are regular meetings between India and China at various levels, including at the highest level. During these meetings entire gamut of bilateral, regional and global issues are discussed. Both sides are committed to resolving bilateral issues through dialogue and peaceful negotiations and in a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable manner.