Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Govt aware of Chinese plan

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 2 - India is aware about reports that the Chinese Government is planning to extend its rail link to Nepal, which might involve building a tunnel under Mount Everest, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha.

The financial and technical details of the proposal have not yet come to the attention of the Government, she added.

�India is aware that China continues to undertake large scale development projects, including construction of highways, railways and high-speed rail corridors in Chinese provinces sharing border with India,� the Minister said.

�China is involved in the construction of or providing assistance to infrastructure projects in our neighbourhood, including Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. These infrastructure projects include power projects, IT projects, housing, nuclear energy and construction of highways, motorways, railways, sea and airports, export processing zones and economic corridor projects,� she said.

�China is an active development partner of its neighbours and is involved in various projects in these countries. India�s relations with other countries stand on their own footing and are independent of the relations of those countries with third countries. India is also working with its neighbouring countries, including China, to enhance road, rail, and air and shipping connectivity in the region,� she added.

In reply to a separate question about the latest round of talks between India and China, Swaraj said that the latest meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Boundary Affairs was held in Beijing on October 6. Both sides discussed various issues pertaining to the maintenance of peace and tranquillity along the border, she added.

Next Story