(a) whether the External Affairs Minister (EAM) visited China recently;
(b) if so, the highlights of the talks held along with the MoUs signed between the Minister and the Chinese leaders;
(c) whether several matters including border issues, encroachment of Indian territory, etc. came up for discussion;
(d) if so, whether any progress has been made in this regard and if so, the details thereof, and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))
(a) Yes. External Affairs Minister (EAM) Smt. Sushma Swaraj visited China from 31 January to 03 February, 2015.
(b) to (e) EAM held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and called on Chinese President Xi Jinping. EAM met with Mr. Wang Jiarui, Minister, International Department, Communist Party of China. During the visit, EAM, along with Vice Premier Wang Yang launched the Visit India Year - 2015 in China. EAM, along with Jiang Jianguo, Minister, State Council Information Office, inaugurated the 2nd meeting of India-China High Level Media Forum. EAM also participated in the 13th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of Russia-India- China Trilateral.
During the visit, Note Verbales to finalize the modalities to commence Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Nathu La starting in June 2015 were exchanged.
The discussions with Chinese side were comprehensive and substantive. Various issues of significance were discussed in a frank and cordial manner. India and China are committed to resolving bilateral issues through dialogue and peaceful negotiations and in a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable manner.