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Sino-Indian security talks end in Beijing

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

Without making any substantial progress, the first-ever Sino-Indian security talks ended in Beijing on Tuesday. Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue.

An official spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs told reporters in New Delhi that both sides agreed that the "security dialogue was conducive to enhancing mutual understanding, expanding consensus and promoting co-operation."

The next round of talks would be held in New Delhi at a date "acceptable to both sides."

The Indian delegation, led by the joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Rakesh Sood, conveyed India's "concerns that China's assistance to Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme had an adverse impact on regional stability," to which India has been reacting in a "responsible and restrained manner."

At the meetings held on March 6 and 7 concern was expressed at global and regional security issues and "some other issues of interest to both sides" were also discussed.

The spokesman said the dialogue was on security matters when asked if the escape of Karmapa into India figured during the talks.

"We conveyed to the Chinese side our overall security objectives including the nuclear policy," he said. The Indian side emphasised the importance of principles of Panchasheel, "which involves being sensitive to each other's sovereignty including sovereign rights of a country to determine" its security needs and "to take measures for national security needs."

Though he did not directly mention the decision of India to conduct Pokhran II nuclear tests, the statement was intended as an answer to China's demand that India adhere to the United Nations Security Council resolution (number 1172) asking India to exercise restraint to avoid a nuclear arms race in South Asia.

The spokesman said the two sides agreed that sovereignty was non-negotiable and "principles of Panchasheel must guide major countries to bring about development of shared objective of a multi-polar world order."

During the discussions, China welcomed India's role in the ASEAN Regional Forum and hoped that two countries would be able to work in this forum.

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