The Sino-Indian Border Dispute Section 2: 1959-61 - The Black Vault

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examine, check, and study the historical evidence of each
side and draft a joint report on points of "agreement and
disagreement" but they were not empowered to recommend a
solution. Failure was also reflected in Chou's formal
statement to a press conference in New Delhi on 25 April,
when he conceded there were "still distances" between the
two countries on six points "of proximity'' including the
matter of patrolling along the bordbr. After reading thf 8
prepared statement, Chou answered 'queations and made a
comment about the border, drawing distinctions between the
three sectors. The differences (1) in the central sector
were qlsmall...and only on particular amms," (2) in the
eastern sector were minor because the Chinese would not
cross the so-called McMahon line and '*we have not set .
forth any territorial claims," and (3) in the Western
sector were '*bigger" because the Chinese asked New Delhi
to take a similar stand--i.e. in return for Chinese acceptance
of the NEPA status quo, "India was asked not to
cross the line which appears on Chlnese maps" in Ladakh--but
New Delhi '*h as not entirely agreed."* R egard ing Long j u ,
Chou insisted to the journalists t'hat it was Chinese territory
and north of the McMahon line. Trying to salvage a
modicum of goodwill, Chou referred to his formal statement
that the dispute is only "temporary" and invited Nehru to
come to Peiping when convenient for further talks and "to
promote friendly relations.11 An Indian circular message
of 27 April summed up the results of Chougs visit in terse
language--ttThe views of the two governments remain as far
apart as beforel'--and directed Indian embassies to rebutt
the final impression Chou sought to create at his surprise
news conference (at which he issued what was, in effect,
a unAlateral communique) that each side now appreciated the
other's point of view better or that there was a prospect
fpr a %ettlement .It
*Foreign Secretary Duft told the American charge on 28
April that Indian officials did not agree with Chou not to
press claims to territory north and east of th e Karakorams,
though in effect th eir agreement to avoid i ncidents would
keep them from doing SO;
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