India pledges not to allow anti-China acts

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (L) shakes hands with his Indian counter Natwar Singh following the signing of an agreement in New Delhi yesterday. India and China signed a landmark accord aimed at resolving a boundary dispute that has bedevilled relations between the Asian giants for more than four decades, the Indian foreign ministry said. PHOTO: AFP

In return, China formally accepted that Sikkim state is part of "the Republic of India".

The pledges were contained in a joint statement issued after talks between visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

"Both sides reviewed with satisfaction the implementation of the memorandum on the border trade through the Nathula Pass between the Tibet Autonomous Region of the Peoples Republic of China and the Sikkim State of the Republic of India," a joint statement said.

India first acknowledged Tibet as part of China during a visit by then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Beijing in 2003.

At the same time China agreed to trade with India through the strategic Nathu La pass in Sikkim, which Indian officials interpreted as Beijing giving up its territorial claim over the tiny Himalayan state.

"The Indian side reiterated that it recognised the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of the territory of the Peoples Republic of China and that it did not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China political activities in India," Monday's joint statement said.

"The Indian side recalled that India was among the first countries to recognize that there is one China and its one China policy remains unaltered. The Indian side stated it would continue to abide by its one China policy.

"The Chinese side expressed its appreciation for the Indian positions," it added.

Meanwhile, China will support India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council, according to an Indian government document seen by AFP.

"China understands and supports the aspirations of India to become a permanent member of the Security Council," said the document, drawn up after a meeting Sunday between Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran.

"If the Indian side expresses its aspirations, the Chinese side will be happy to see this outcome," it added.