(a) whether an Indian delegation headed by Foreign Secretary visited China recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the issues discussed and the agreements reached during the said visit; and
(d) the benefits India is likely to gain from the agreements signed during the said visit?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): Foreign Secretary led the Indian delegation for the 13th Meeting of the India-China Joint Working Group on the boundary question that was held in Beijing on 31 July 2001.
(c)-(d): The two sides had an extensive and in-depth review of bilateral relations and also exchanged views on the international situation. Both sides agreed that the present momentum in our bilateral relations should be maintained and enhanced, including through further high level exchanges.
Both sides also reviewed the work being done in the Expert Group on the clarification and confirmation of the Line of Actual Control, and on the implementation of CBMs. The Expert Group is expected to meet again later this year.
No agreements were signed during the visit.