Mukherjee arrives in Beijing to meet Chinese Vice President, not Premier

Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjees meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has been called off as the latter is actively involved with earthquake relief operations.

Guangzhou, June 5 : Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has been called off as the latter is actively involved with earthquake relief operations.

Mukherjee, who arrived here after completing his visit to Guangzhou, was scheduled to meet Jiabao. Alternatively, Mukherjee will call on Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.

Thurday's meeting is expected to be dominated by talks over the boundary row and irritants surrounding the Sino-Indian border. The two sides would discuss how to restore peace across the borderline, including the Sikkim sector's 'Finger Point Area.'

The Minister, who arrived here on a four-day visit, was received by senior dignitaries of the Chinese Government. By Naveen Kapoor

ANI