'Sino-Indian ties not at Pak expense'

"Pakistan understands the growing relations between China and India are not at the expense of Sino-Pak ties. These relationships have different trajectories," foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said while referring to Vajpayee's visit to China.

Hinting that Islamabad is keeping a close watch on the impact of Vajpayee's visit, Khan was quoted as saying by official APP news agency on Sunday night that "we have followed the developments on rapprochment between China and India."

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At the same time Khan said Pakistan and China have very close and long-standing relationship. The successive leaderships and generations of the two countries have worked with each other, he said adding "we completely trust each other."

Stating that China has played a constructive and positive role in South Asia, he said China's relations with South Asian nations, particularly with Pakistan, have been a factor of peace and stability in the region.

He said China honoured Pakistan by inviting Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali as the first foreign leader to Beijing to meet the new Chinese leadership. "This was a great honour for Pakistan, and it reflected the close understanding between them."

Vajpayee would call on the Chinese President for their second meeting in 20 days after their meeting in the historic Russian city of St Petersburg on May 31.