Copies of the final declaration adopted at the Havana meeting have been placed in the Library of Parliament for information of Members.

CHAPTER 12

STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT
DEVELOPMENT IN OUR RELATIONS 
WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Lok Sabha , 15 April, 1976

Shri. Y. B. Chavan : The House is aware that our tradition and policy is to endeavour to develop amicable relations with all countries, notably with our neighbours. The House will recall that while replying to the debate on the budget estimates for the Ministry of External Affairs last week, I had mentioned that we were making an effort in this direction with the people’s Republic of China. In pursuance of this policy, representatives of the two Governments in Delhi and Peking discussed the question of restoring the level of diplomatic representation in both countries to the Ambassadorial status.

It is proposed to appoint Shri. K. R. Narayanan, at present Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs as our Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. He is an able and distinguished member of the Foreign Service. The Chinese Government have conveyed their agreement to this nomination. Shri. Narayanan will be taking up his new assignment in about two months.

On the basis of the discussions which have taken place, it is our understanding that this initiative for raising the level of our diplomatic representation in Peking will be followed by a similar move by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.