Beijing: Terming the accords reached by India and China as a "win-win" situation for both of them, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on June 25 said the border agreement has "recognised" the Nathu la Pass in Sikkim as a "border pass" between the two countries.

"We have signed a border agreement in which Nathu la Pass has been recognised as a border pass between China and India through which trade will be facilitated," he said in an interview to BBC's Asia Today programme.

Asked if this meant a tacit admission by China over India's claims on Sikkim, Sinha said "you can read the language for yourself. I do not know why there should be any doubt about anything".

Sinha, who is accompanying Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on his six-day visit to China, said that two border passes in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal have already been recognised by China for border trade.

To a question if there was any confusion on the Indian position on Tibet, the Minister said "if you look at the language which India has consistently used over the last 50 years, you will find that we have consistently taken a position".

Sinha said "I would say there is no change in India's position and it continues to be consistent with the past positions we have taken.

"The Tibet Autonomous Region was created in 1965 and after that one has been referring to that part as Tibet Autonomous Region".

PTI