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MEA turns around, says envoy Nambiar's visit is routine

The Indian ambassador to China, Vijay Nambiar, today held discussions with Foreign Secretary K Raghunath even as the external affairs ministry clarified that the envoy was on a ''scheduled visit'' to New Delhi.

T C A Rangachari, joint secretary dealing with China in the ministry, was also present. They are understood to have discussed the statements relating to New Delhi emanating from Beijing since India conducted five nuclear tests, particularly the Xinhua statement on Tuesday. The statement had accused India of having occupied 90,000 sq km of Chinese territory in 1962. The consultations on China policy would continue for the next few days.

Meanwhile, the external affairs ministry spokesman said Nambiar's visit had been on the cards for some time, and had been planned earlier. ''He is one of our officers who has been called to headquarters for consultations,'' he said.

However, yesterday, in reply to a question whether Nambiar's visit was ''routine'', the spokesman had stated that ''it could not be called routine in the context of the developments''.

He had also reserved comment on the Xinhua commentary.

UNI

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