Vajpayee: India, China in New Relationship
VOA News
24 Jun 2003, 13:42 UTC
India's Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee says the relationship between long-time rivals China and India has been transformed, and they are addressing their differences with fresh momentum.
Mr. Vajapayee says agreements reached during his visit to China are helping to create a new, positive relationship with Beijing.
Mr. Vajpayee spoke to reporters in Beijing Tuesday, after meetings with Chinese leaders that he described as excellent.
On Monday, the two countries agreed to appoint special envoys to resolve long-standing border disputes.
India also agree to accept China's claim over Tibet. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman called the Tibet agreement important and positive.
The Chinese have occupied Tibet for more than a half-century, and Beijing has long resented India's giving shelter to Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
India and China, the world's two most populous countries, often have had chilly relations, highlighted by a series of territorial disputes, China's support for Pakistan and India's nuclear tests.
Mr. Vajpayee's visit to China, which is the first by an Indian leader in a decade, continues until Friday.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.
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