China Calles for Indian-Pak Settlement
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Sunday expressed the hope that India and Pakistan will seek a settlement of all outstanding issues between them, including the Kashmir issue, through dialogue and peaceful means.
During a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh here, Tang said Singh's recent visit to China represented a step forward in the improvement of relations between the two countries.
The two countries have reached some important consensus which will provide guidance and impetus to the improvement of bilateral ties, Tang said.
China is ready to do its part in promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples in the spirit of enhancing mutual trust and clearing up misunderstanding, Tang said.
Singh emphasized that India attaches great importance to its relations with China, the biggest neighbor and a major partner of India in economic relations.
India is willing to develop a constructive and cooperative relationship with China and to strengthen their coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Singh said.
He also emphasized that India will continue to adhere to its long-standing "one China" policy.
Singh briefed Tang about India's stand on the conflict in Kashmir's Kargil region.
Tang stressed that India and Pakistan should explore, through dialogue and peaceful means, ways of solving all their problems, including the conflict in Kashmir, in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region. (Xinhua)
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