New Delhi, Feb 28: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said that China illegally claims approximately 90,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, including Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

"The fact that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India has been conveyed by Government to the Chinese side," Mukherjee told the Rajya Sabha.

According to a report in ‘The Statesman’ dated November 1 last year, the former Chinese Ambassador to India Zhou Gang reportedly said, "As the Chinese people would never accept ‘McMahon Line’, India must make substantial adjustment in the Eastern sector."

Indian territory under the occupation by China in Jammu and Kashmir is approximately 38,000 square kilometres.

"In addition, under the so-called "China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement" of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. kms. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China. China illegally claims approximately 90,000 sq. kms. of Indian territory," Mukherjee said.

The External Affairs Minister further said that the special sepresentatives of India and China are presently seeking a framework for settlement of the boundary question that "is fair, reasonable, mutually acceptable and based on the agreement on Guiding Principles and Political Parameters signed in April 2005." (ANI)