12 April 2005

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

 Chinese Premier’s Visit

 The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) hails the success of the visit of the Chinese Prime  Minister, Wen Jiabao to India.  The visit has resulted in upgrading relations between India and China to  the status of a “strategic and cooperative partnership”. 

A significant outcome of this visit has been the agreement on the political parameters and guiding principles for the settlement of the Indo-China  boundary question.  This agreement, containing eleven Articles, defines in the first article that “the differences on the boundary question should  not be allowed to affect the overall development of bilateral relations.  The two sides will resolve the boundary question through peaceful and friendly consultations.  Neither side shall use or threaten to use force against the other by any means.  The final solution of the boundary question will significantly promote good neighbourly and friendly relations between India and China”.   

A total of 11 agreements were signed and a report of the joint study group on trade and economic cooperation was made public by both the Prime Ministers.  Both the Prime Ministers categorically asserted that the upgrading of relations has now acquired a “global and strategic character.  This, however they assured, was for strengthening peace and prosperity between the two countries and the region.   

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) welcomes the content and direction of the agreements signed between the two countries at this historic summit.  The CPI(M) expects that the future will see a much closer cooperation  between the peoples of both the countries and the governments.