GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 441

ANSWERED ON:23.02.2011

INDO CHINA BORDER DISPUTE

ANANT KUMAR HEGDE

(a)the area of Indian territory under Chinese occupation as on date;

(b)whether the length of the Indo-China border has been stated to be only 2000 km in a report published by the Chinese Government media whereas the actual length is about 3500 km;

(c)if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d)whether the said report is indicative of the Chinese intention to occupy about 1600 km length of the Indian border; and

(e)if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to regain control over the Indian territory under Chinese occupation?

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRSbe pleased to state:-

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

 (a) China continues to be in illegal occupation of approximately 38,000 sq. kms in the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. kms. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China.

(b) to (e) China regards the State of Jammu and Kashmir as a dispute that should be settled properly through dialogue between India and Pakistan. China also disputes the international boundary between India and China. Government has conveyed to the Chinese side its clear and consistent position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. In 2003, India and China agreed to each appoint a Special Representative to explore from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship the framework for a boundary settlement. There have been fourteen meetings of the Special Representatives so far, the last in November 2010. An “Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question” was signed between India and China on April 11, 2005. At present the two Special Representatives are exploring the framework for a settlement covering all sectors of the boundary.