Beijing:Seeking to deflect criticism from India over its role at the NSG meeting, China said on Tuesday that it had participated in the parleys in a "responsible and constructive manner" and made an important contribution to the final outcome of the discussion.

"The situation cant be more clear," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said.

The NSG has reached a consensus to grant an waiver for nuclear commerce to India "thanks to the joint efforts of all parties," she said.

"China has taken part in the NSG discussion in a responsible and constructive manner and has made contributions to the final progress of the discussion," Jiang said fending off criticism from New Delhi that Beijing attempted to sabotage the consensus at the meeting of the nuclear cartel.

This is the second time in as many days China issued a statement clarifying its role at the NSG meeting.

The Foreign Ministry said on Monday that "China has been taking part in relevant meetings within the NSG in a responsible and constructive manner". It welcomed the NSG waiver but hoped this cooperation should be "conducive" to safeguarding the global nuclear non-proliferation efforts.

In Tuesdays briefing, the spokesperson said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who on a visit to India, has held talks with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and arrived at some notable agreements.

The two Ministers have agreed that the two governments will "properly handle each others concerns about bilateral relations," the spokesperson said.

They have also agreed to keep up the momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries and expand people-to-people exchanges particularly among the youth. Yang agreed with Mukherjee on further deepening the friendship between the two countries, she said.

The two governments were making preparations for holding two cultural festivals showcasing India and China in each others countries in 2009 and 2010,Jiang said.

Referring to Yangs visit to Kolkata, she said the Chinese Minister has opened a new consulate in the eastern city to promote bilateral ties and friendly exchanges with West Bengal in particular and India as a whole.
Source : DNA