Indo-China Joint Declaration

On June 23, 2003, China and India signed the

Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation Between thePeople's Republic of China and the Republic of India.

The following is the full text of the declaration:

At the invitation of Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China H.E. Wen Jiabao, PrimeMinister of the Republic of India H.E. Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid an official visit to the People's Republic ofChina from 22 to 27 June 2003.

During this visit, Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Prime Minister Vajapayee. Their Excellencies PresidentHu Jintao of the People's Republic of China, Chairman Jiang Zemin of the Central Military Commission, ChairmanWu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Vice President Zeng Qinghongof thePeople's Republic of China held separate meetings with Prime Minister Vajpayee. The talks and meetings wereheld in a sincere and friendly atmosphere.

Bilateral Relations

Leaders from both countries noted with satisfaction the progress made over recent years in bilateralrelations. This is conducive not only to their respective development, but also to regional stability andprosperity. The two sides recalled the historical depth of their friendly contacts. China and India are thetwo largest developing countries of the world with centuries-old civilization, unique history and similarobjectives. Both noted that the sustained economic and social development in the two countries, representingone third of humanity is vital for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity not only in Asia but also in thewhole world.

The two sides agreed that China and India have a mutual desire for good neighborly relations and have broadcommon interests. They agreed to fully utilize the substantial potential and opportunities for deepeningmutually beneficial cooperation.

Friendship and cooperation between the two countries meets the need to:

promote the socio-economic development and prosperity of both China and India;
maintain peace and stability regionally and globally;
strengthen multipolarity at the international level; and
enhance the positive factors of globalization.

Both sides affirmed that they would abide by the following principles, promote a long-term constructive andcooperative partnership and, on this basis, build a qualitatively new relationship:

Both sides are committed to developing their long-term constructive and cooperative partnership on thebasis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, mutual respect and sensitivity for each other's concernsand equality;
As two major developing countries, China and India have a broad mutual interest in the maintenance ofpeace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world, and a mutual desire in developing wider and closercooperation and understanding in regional and international affairs;
The common interests of the two sides outweigh their differences. The two countries are not a threat toeach other. Neither side shall use or threaten to use force against the other; and
Both sides agree to qualitatively enhancing the bilateral relationship at all levels and in all areaswhile addressing differences through peaceful means in a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable manner. Thedifferences should not be allowed to affect the overall development of bilateral relations.

Regular high-level exchanges

Both sides agreed to hold regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. This will greatly enhancemutual understanding and expand bilateral relations. With a view to deepening their coordination and dialogueson bilateral, regional and international issues, both sides agreed on the need for annual meetings betweenForeign Ministers of the two countries. They also agreed that personnel exchanges and friendly contactsbetween ministries, parliaments and political parties of the two countries should be further enhanced.

The two sides welcomed the positive momentum of bilateral trade and economic cooperation in recent years andshared the belief that continued expansion and intensification of China-India economic cooperation isessential for strengthening bilateral relations.

Both sides shared the view that existing complementarities between their two economies provide an importantfoundation and offer broad prospects for further enhancing their economic relations. In order to promote tradeand economic cooperation, both sides will take necessary measures consistent with their national laws andrules and international obligations to remove impediments to bilateral trade and investment. They reaffirmedthe importance of the ministerial meeting of the Joint Economic Group(JEG) and agreed to hold the next(seventh) JEG meeting within the year.

The two sides will set up a compact Joint Study Group (JSG) composed of officials and economists to examinethe potential complementarities between the two countries in expanded trade and economic cooperation. The JSGwould also draw up a programme for the development of China-India trade and economic cooperation for the nextfive years, aimed at encouraging greater cooperation between the business communities of both sides. The Groupshould present a study report and recommendations to the two Governments on measures for comprehensive tradeand economic cooperation by the end of June 2004.

The two countries will launch a financial dialogue and cooperation mechanism to strengthen their dialogue andcoordination in this sector.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation at the World Trade organization, which is not only to mutualbenefit but also in the broader interest of developing countries. The two sides will hold dialogues on aregular basis in this regard.

Historical and cultural links between China and India will be strengthened, inter-alia, through the promotionof exchanges in culture, education, science and technology, media, youth and people-to-people relations. Theyagreed to set up Cultural Centers in each other's capitals and facilitate their establishment.

Both sides will work towards the enhancement of direct air and shipping links, tourism, exchange hydrologicaldata in flood season on common rivers as agreed, cooperation in agriculture, dairy, food processing, healthand other sectors.

They agreed on the need to broaden and deepen defense exchanges between the two countries, which will helpenhance and deepen the mutual understanding and trust between the two armed forces. They confirmed that theexchange of visits by their Defense Ministers and of military officials at various levels should bestrengthened.

Boundary Question

The two sides exchanged views on the China-India boundary question and expounded their respectivepositions. They reiterated their readiness to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution throughconsultations on an equal footing. The two sides agreed that pending an ultimate solution, they should worktogether to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas, and reiterated their commitment to continueimplementation of the agreements signed for this purpose, including the clarification of the line of actualcontrol.

The two sides agreed to each appoint a special representative to explore, from the political perspective ofthe overall bilateral relationship, the framework of a boundary settlement.

The Indian side recognizes that the Tibet Autonomous Region is part of the territory of the People's Republicof China and reiterates that it does not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China political activities in India.The Chinese side expresses its appreciation for the Indian position and reiterates that it is firmly opposedto any attempt and action aimed at splitting China and bringing about "independence of Tibet".

The Indian side recalled that India was among the first countries to recognize that there is one China and itsone China policy remains unaltered. The Chinese side expressed its appreciation of the Indian position.

International Peace

China and India recognized the primacy of maintaining international peace. This is a prerequisite for thesocio-economic development of all developing countries, including China and India. The world is marked bydiversity. Every country has the right to choose its own political system and path to development. As twomajor developing countries, China and India acknowledged the importance of their respective roles in theshaping of a new international political and economic order. The international community must help thedeveloping countries to eliminate poverty and narrow the gap between the North and the South through dialogueand cooperation so as to achieve common prosperity.

The two sides acknowledged the vital importance of the role of the United Nations in world peace, stabilityand development. They are determined to continue their efforts in strengthening the UN system. They reaffirmedtheir readiness to work together to promote reform of the UN. In reform of the UN Security Council, priorityshould be given to enhancing representation of the developing countries.

Both sides stood for continued multilateral arms control and disarmament process, undiminished and equalsecurity for all at progressively lower levels of armament and for multilateral negotiations aimed at nucleardisarmament and elimination of nuclear weapons. They are firmly opposed to introduction of weapons in outerspace, use or threat of force against space-based objects and support cooperation in development of spacetechnology for peaceful purposes.

Terrorism

The two sides recognized the threat posed by terrorism to them and to global peace and security. Theyresolutely condemned terrorism in any form. The struggle between the international community and globalterrorism is a comprehensive and sustained one, with the ultimate objective of eradication of terrorism in allregions. This requires strengthening the global legal framework against terrorism. Both sides shall alsopromote cooperation on counter-terrorism through their bilateral dialogue mechanism.

Environment

China and India face special and similar challenges in their efforts to protect the environment whilesimultaneously forging ahead with rapid social and economic development of their countries. In this context,the two sides agreed to work together in a practical manner to cooperate on preserving the environment andensuring sustained development and to coordinate positions on climate change, biodiversity and other issue inrelevant multilateral fora.

Multilateral cooperation in Asia

The two sides supported multilateral cooperation in Asia, believing that such cooperation promote mutuallybeneficial exchanges, economic growth as well as greater cohesion among Asian countries. The two sides viewedpositively each other's participation in regional and sub-regional multilateral cooperation processes in Asia.

The two sides stated that the improvement and development of China-India relations is not targeted at anythird country and does not affect either country's existing friendly relations and cooperation with othercountries.

The two sides agreed that the official visit of the Prime Minister of India to the People's Republic of Chinahas been a success, has contributed to enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the Governments,leaders and peoples of the two countries, and marks a new step forward in strengthening the all-roundcooperation between China and India in the new century.

Prime Minister Vajpayee invited Premier Wen Jiabao to visit India at a mutually convenient time and conveyedto President Hu Jintao an invitation from President Abdul Kalam to visit India. The Chinese side accepted theinvitations with appreciation. The dates of the visits will be settled through diplomatic channels.

On behalf of the Government and the people of India, H.E. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee thanked theGovernment and the people of China for the warm welcome received by him and his delegation.

Signed in Beijing on 23 June 2003 in the Chinese, Hindi and English languages.

Wen Jiabao
Premier of the State Council The People's Republic of China