No plans for PM to meet Chinese counterpart: Nirupama

“There is no meeting that has been planned between Singh and his Chinese counterpart,the leader of the Chinese delegation to the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters on Saturday.

To a question on Prime Minister’s remarks yesterday on Chinese incursions,she said,”as far as this question is concerned we remain in constant touch with China on all issues of bilateral interest and our relationship has matured over the years which is multi-dimensional.

“The leadership of both countries are in contact and the communication remains at all times.”

On incursions,the Foreign Secretary said,there has been a media “hype” and “intensification” of volume in reporting in the media on the issue.

“But on the basis of ground realities,my appreciation of the situation is that there is no significant increase in incursions along the LoAC on all borders with China,” she said.

Seeking to explain the situation on LoAC,Rao said,since there is no mutually agreed or delineated line so there could always be difference of perception between the two sides on the border.

“This has been going on for a number of years and this is not a new phenomenon. Contrary to public perception the LoAC has remained peaceful for already more than a decade.

Communication links are in place which enables both sides to reach to the other.

“These mechanisms are in place and have worked well.

There is good communication between the two sides. Whenever it was warranted,we have taken up through diplomatic channels.

Both sides recognise that this an important relationship and that differences should be resolved through dialogue,” the Foreign Secretary said.

She referred to Army Chief’s remarks on Saturday that the situation is calm on the border and there has been no increase in incursions.

“Each country takes steps to protect its borders. We have open channels with Chinese. But the central point remains that it (border) is peaceful and tranquil,” Rao said.

Seeking to explain the situation on LoAC,Rao said,since there is no mutually agreed or delineated line so there could always be difference of perception between the two sides on the border.

“This has been going on for a number of years and this is not a new phenomenon. Contrary to public perception the LoAC has remained peaceful for already more than a decade.

Communication links are in place which enables both sides to reach to the other.

“These mechanisms are in place and have worked well.

There is good communication between the two sides. Whenever it was warranted,we have taken up through diplomatic channels.

Both sides recognise that this an important relationship and that differences should be resolved through dialogue,” the Foreign Secretary said.

She referred to Army Chief’s remarks on Saturday that the situation is calm on the border and there has been no increase in incursions.

“Each country takes steps to protect its borders. We have open channels with Chinese. But the central point remains that it (border) is peaceful and tranquil,” Rao said.