Beijing: Sikkim was shown as a separate country in two official Chinese publications that was distributed at a major Asian political party summit hosted by the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing today (Sep 3, 2004), much to the surprise of the Indian delegation.

"The border of China extends more than 22,000 km. It abuts 15 other countries: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the East; Russia and Mongolia in the Northeast and North; Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Tadzhikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the west; and India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam in the Southwest and South," the official publication, 'China in Diagrams' said.

The publication, distributed at the 3rd International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), also had two separate maps in which Sikkim was shown as a separate country.

While Congress party leader and MP, Saif-ud Din Soz thought it as a "mistake," CPM (Communist Party Marxist) politburo member Sitaram Yechuri stressed that Sikkim was a part of India.

Yechuri said that India and China may have different perceptions on the issue which should be thrashed out by discussing it across the table.

"As far as we are concerned, Sikkim is part of India," Yechuri said.

BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) vice-president, Sushil Kumar Modi recalled that during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to China in June last year, India and China had reached some understanding on the Sikkim issue.