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Former Indian PM Rajif Gandhi RememberedThe author Liu Shuqing, who once served as vice-minister of foreign affairs, said in this article:: "As China and India are both commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on April 1, 1950, we will not forget Rajif Ganddhi, former Indian Prime Minister, who had made important contributions to the improvement and development of the relations between the two countries."Following are excerpt of this article. April 1, this year is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. In the long histories of these two ancient countries are recorded many moving stories about the friendly exchanges between the people of China and India. After the founding of New China, India was the first non-socialist country to establish diplomatic ties with China. Over the past 50 years, relations between the two countries, despite the experience of twists and turns, have on the whole maintained the trend of development, the two peoples of China and India invariably want to be friendly with each other. When China and India are solemnly commemorating this historic day, we will not forget former Indian Prime Minister Rajif Gandhi who had made important contributions to the improvement and development of the relations between the two countries. "The genuine improvement of Sino-Indian relations begins with the present visit of His Excellency the Prime Minister". "The present visit" mentioned here by Deng Xiaoping refers to the formal visit paid by Indian Prime Minister Rajif Gandhi to China between December 19-23, 1988 at the invitation of the then Chinese Premier Li Peng. That visit was, without doubt, a major event in the history of Sino-Indian relations. It was also an important move taken by the Rajif Gandhi government to develop ties with China. In Chinese leaders' meetings and talks with Prime Minister Rajif Gandhi, both sides had an extensive exchange of opinions on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest. According to the author, the deepest impression he got was the conscientious and in-depth discussions between the two sides on the Sino-Indian boundary question. The total length of the Sino-Indian boundary is about 2,000 km, and the disputed areas cover about 125,000 sq. km. The Sino-Indian boundary question is an issue left over from history. Regarding this, it has been the consistent view of the Chinese side that only by displaying the spirit of mutual accommodation and mutual concession and through peaceful and friendly consultations was the fundamental way out for the solution of the boundary question. During the visit, Rajif Gandhi indicated Indian determination to seek a solution featuring mutual benefit and mutual reciprocity, he agreed that while seeking a method for resolving the boundary issue, he would actively develop bilateral relations in other spheres, thereby creating a good atmosphere and conditions for a fair and reasonable solution of the boundary question. Leaders of the two countries also expressed their common wishes to restore and develop Sino-Indian relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. In meeting with Prime Minister Rajif Gandhi, Chinese leaders said that China and India should have their eyes on the future, there was no reason for the two countries not to be friendly to each other and not to improve relations. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence jointly initiated by China and India have a strong appeal and vitality, the two countries should be the first to become models in carrying out these principles. Prime Minister Rajif Gandhi expressed the hope that his visit could bring about a new beginning of friendship for the relationship between the two countries. The two nations should have more contacts to enhance mutual understanding and guarantee that problems would no longer occur between them. The two countries should, on the one hand, study and handle the problems existing in bilateral relations and, on the other land, strive toward the new direction for joint cooperation and to boost the development of Sino-Indian relations, thereby making them models of living on friendly terms with each other on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The visit by Rajif Gandhi, ended in complete success, was of important significance in developing subsequent Sino-Indian relationship and pushing forward contacts between top leaders of the two countries. The author said the deepest impression he had was that Rajif Gandhi was pragmatic. In his discussion with the Chinese side about how to solve the Sino-Indian boundary issue, Rajif Gandhi said the boundary issue was very complicated which had become a problem in the depth of feeling for both sides, he noted the need to consider all aspects of the problem and strive to win the understanding of the public and the media. Prime Minister Rajif Gandhi agreed that solution of the boundary issue should essentially be based on the political judgment made by leaders of the two countries, but this judgment should both be based on historical facts and the need to consider the sentimental factors of the people. The solution must be in accord with the interests of and acceptable to both countries, which, to a great extent, depended on a favorable atmosphere created by the two countries. The Chinese side agreed that both sides should strive to create a good atmosphere and conditions, but there would be no other better methods for the solution of the boundary question than mutual accommodation and mutual concession. Just at the moment when there was hope for the further improvement and development of Sino-Indian relations, there came the bad news about Rajif Gandhi's assassination on May 21, 1991. His death caused sorrow among the Indian people for losing a young and promising leader, and among the Chinese people for losing a friend. On May 22, 1991, in their message of condolence to the Indian government leaders, the Chinese leaders praised Rajif Gandhi as an eminent statesman of India, as well as a friend well familiar to the Chinese people, who had made positive contributions to the improvement and development of Sino-Indian relations. The unaccomplished cause left behind by Rajif Gandhi has been carried on by his successors. The Sino-Indian joint working team for the boundary question has thus far successfully held 11 rounds of talks. At present, with the common efforts of the two governments, the Sino-Indian relations about which Mr.Rajif Gandhi was very much concerned during his lifetime are being improved and developed. The author expressed his firm conviction that on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the Sino-Indian relations will gain further development in the new century. The maintenance of a stable, neighborly and friendly relationship of mutual benefit and cooperation between the two great developing countries of China and India with a combined population exceeding 2 billion is not only in conformity with the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but is also beneficial to peace and stability in the region and the world as a whole.
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