India's PM Arrives in China
VOA News
22 Jun 2003, 16:02 UTC
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee arrived in Beijing Sunday to begin talks on building trust and economic ties.
Mr. Vajpayee, who is accompanied by a large business delegation, said as he left India that he attaches a "high priority" to relation with China. He said there are compelling geographical, political and economic reasons for closer relations.
Mr. Vajpayee is the first Indian leader in a decade to visit China. He will hold talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, his counterpart Wen Jiabao and other senior Chinese officials.
The world's two most populous countries - home to more than one-third of humanity - often have had chilly relations, highlighted by a series of territorial disputes, China's support of Pakistan and India's nuclear tests.
The two sides are expected to look for ways to move forward long-running negotiations over their unsettled border issues. India accuses China of occupying 38,000 square kilometers of territory in Kashmir. Beijing lays claim to 90,000 square kilometers of land in Indian eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.
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