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China calls for developing ties with India

BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said on Friday that China and India should develop ties to help foster regional stability.

The remarks came just two days after the two Asian giants wrapped up their first talks on security issues.

In the discussions, India told China that Beijing's help in Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme was having an adverse impact on regional stability.

"Of course, there are some disagreements between China and India, which are reflected in some outstanding issues," Tang told a news conference. "But generally speaking, China and India do not pose a threat to each other."

Relations have been strained by border disputes and India's accusations over China's help to the nuclear missile programme of New Delhi's arch-foe Pakistan. China denies the charge.

"The development of normal state-to-state relations between China and India is not only in the interest of the countries concerned, but in the interest in the peace and stability in south Asia," Tang said.

He said Indian President K.R. Narayanan would pay an official visit to China this year and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries on April 1 would present the opportunity to develop relations.

Tensions between China and India rose after New Delhi conducted five underground nuclear explosions in May 1998. Pakistan followed with six tests less than three weeks later.

U.S. President Bill Clinton is due to visit both India and Pakistan later this month, and the White House has said that discussing measures to avoid a nuclear and missile arms race in the region will be high on his agenda.-Reuters