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Jaswant Singh arrives in Beijing

Ramesh Arora in Beijing

External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh arrived in Beijing today on a two-day visit aimed at giving a new direction to Sino-Indian relations.

Addressing the media soon after his arrival, he said he was looking forward to his meetings with Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji and Foreign Minister Tang Xiajuan.

Singh said the focus of his talks with the Chinese leaders would be on bilateral issues.

Asked if the Kargil situation would also figure during the discussions, he said, ''It will not be raised by me.'' However, the issue will certainly come up during the discussion on the regional and international developments.

Singh was accompanied by T C A Rangachari, joint secretary (China) in the external affairs ministry, and other officials. They were received at the airport by Zhang Jiuhuan, director general of Asia in the Chinese foreign ministry, and Vijay Nambiar, Indian ambassador to Beijing, among others.

Singh will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart later today. His meetings with the Chinese premier and other top party functionaries are scheduled for tomorrow.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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