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BEIJING, Jun 27: China has clarified that Sikkim was a question left over from history and couldn’t be resolved “overnight”.
“It is an enduring question. Sikkim is a question left over from history. It cannot be resoled overnight,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quam told reporters.
The clarification has laid to rest the speculative Indian media campaign that it has agreed to legitimize the forci-ble occupation of Sikkim by India.
Indian media had earlier reported that by agreeing to expand border trade from one or two more points, in addition to the two existing trade routes-Lipulekh Pass in Uttaranchal Pradesh and Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh, the Chinese had accepted Sino-Sikkim border as the de facto international boundary between India and China.
Responding to questions by the Indian Media, the Chinese Spokesman averted the questions on whether one of the new trade points would be in Sikkim. “If you see the map, you will know from where the border trade can be conducted,” the spokesman said.
VAJPAYEE: Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said on Friday that talks will start “immediately” with China to end their long-standing border dispute.
“The aim is to end this dispute. So far, the talks were limited between officials who could not take decisions,” he said, on his arrival in New Delhi after a six-day China visit.
“It will not be so now and representatives of the two countries will resolve the issue,” he added, referring to the appointment of two special representatives by India and China.
In Beijing earlier this week, India appointed national security adviser Brajesh Mishra as its special representative to resolve the border dispute while China appointed vice-minister in the foreign ministry, Dai Bingguo, as its representative. — APP/AFP
