China keen to resolve border dispute with India

The 15th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and State Councillor Dai Binggou, was held for a second day on Tuesday in New Delhi.

During this round, the two sides continued their discussions on a framework for a resolution of the boundary question.

The SRs agreed that they would prepare a joint agreed record for their governments on the progress made so far in the SR talks on the issue.

An agreement on the establishment of a working mechanism on consultation and coordination on India-China boundary affairs was signed in the presence of the two SRs.

The Special Representatives also discussed other bilateral, regional and global issues. Making a positive appraisal of the current state of bilateral relations, the SRs noted the importance of regular high-level exchanges and strengthened cooperation across different areas between the two countries. They agreed that there was scope for greater coordination on regional and global issues. They agreed that the next round of SR talks will be held in China. 

The Chinese foreign ministry said it is committed to resolve the issue through friendly consultations to "find a mutually acceptable, fair and reasonable solution in a peaceful manner".

"As for China-India boundary issue, since 2003 through the mechanism of the meeting of the special representatives the two sides have had candid and practical dialogue,"

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Weimin told a media briefing in Beijing declining to go into details of the talks in New Delhi while stating that the meeting is still going on.

He said the two countries have reached a consensus on the guidelines of settling the boundary issue which is an important foundation for the settlement of the boundary issue.

"Our position on the issue is consistent and clear. We believe that through friendly consultations we will find a mutually acceptable, fair and reasonable solution in a peaceful manner," he said.

"We believe the peaceful development of China and India is an opportunity for both sides and the whole world. With the joint efforts of the two sides, 2012 will be a year of greater and better exchanges and cooperation between China and India. The year 2012 will become a year of cooperation and development," he said. 

With inputs from PTI

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