Dr Singh, Wen commit to resolve boundary issue

In a bid to remove irritants which have crept in bilateral relations in the last one year, India and China on Thursday reached broad consensus on several issues and pledged firm commitment to resolve outstanding differences, including the boundary issue at the earliest through peaceful negotiations.

After holding talks on key security and strategic matters, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao issued a joint statement which said, "There is enough space in the world for the development of both India and China and indeed, enough areas for India and China to cooperate."

Noting that resolution of the boundary question is one of the ten-pronged strategies agreed by leaders of the two countries, the leaders decided that pending its resolution, the two sides will work together to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas in line with the previous agreements.

The two sides also noted the good cooperation between China and India in the field of trans-border rivers with the Indian side appreciating the assistance provided by the Chinese side on the flood-season hydrological data and emergency management.

Underlining their unequivocal opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the two countries stressed that there is no justification for any act of terrorism anywhere. "They committed themselves to countering terrorism through joint efforts that include disrupting the financing of terrorism," the statement said.

Recognising common interests and similar concerns on major regional and international issues, the two sides decided to enhance their coordination and cooperation in multilateral forums. "China attaches great importance to India's status in international affairs as a large developing country, understands and supports India's aspiration to play a greater role in the United Nations, including in the Security Council," the statement said.

The two sides also agreed to further balance trade and economic cooperation and identify new opportunities to realise the vast potential for future growth.