‘China must respect border pact’

‘Understanding for settlement of the boundary question must be ‘scrupulously’ respected

In a veiled but clear message to China that the boundary in the Sikkim sector was not yet finalised, India on Thursday said it was important that the understanding reached between the Indian and Chinese special representatives (SRs) for the settlement of the boundary question was “scrupulously” respected by both sides and that each side projected the position of the other accurately. The

assertion came in response to a query on the Chinese foreign ministry’s reported statement, according to news agency reports, that claimed that Sikkim section of the China-India border has been demarcated as per the 1890 treaty between China and British India. The Chinese claim was made on Sunday, a day after defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman made her maiden visit to the Nathu La post in Sikkim. Beijing has been claiming that the ChinaIndia boundary in the Sikkim Sector has already been delimited.

“We have seen...The reports and the comments. Negotiations for the settlement of the India-China boundary question are held at the level of special representatives of the two countries, based on agreements and understandings reached between them from time to time,” the ministry of external affairs spokesperson said on Thursday evening. “The most recent common understanding between the special representatives was reached in 2012. It is important that these understandings are scrupulously respected by both sides,” he asserted.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had earlier told Parliament, “With regard to the boundary in the Sikkim sector there are still steps to be covered before the boundary is finalised.”