Urgent need to push forward boundary talks: China to India

There is need to redouble efforts to push forward negotiations for a framework agreement on India-China boundary settlement, a Chinese official said.

New Delhi: There is an urgent need to redouble efforts to push forward negotiations for a framework agreement on India-China boundary settlement, a top Chinese official said here in the backdrop of recent deep incursion in Ladakh sector. Describing the incursion as "isolated" incident, Chinese officials said it showed the "well-tested effectiveness" of the mechanisms of communication between the two countries over boundary issues. "We need to redouble our efforts to push forward framework negotiations so that we can reach at a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution at an early date," said Qin Gang, Spokesperson and Director-General of Information Department in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, Qin, at an interaction with media which was organised by Ministry of External Affairs, cautioned that "while looking at important issue of boundary, we have to bear in mind the whole picture of our developing relations. And bear in mind the interest and benefits of good and cooperative China-India relations."

Last month, Chinese troops on April 15 intruded nearly 19 kms inside in Daulat Beg Oldi sector in Ladakh, prompting Indian troops to erect tents in front of them. The "face -to-face" situation was finally resolved after three weeks. Asserting that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang`s first overseas visit to India since assuming office reflects the significance China attaches with this country, Chinese official sources said during his visit, Li will hold meetings with Indian leadership and others to know them better and, thereby, enhance bilateral ties. The visit was also aimed at elevating bilateral business ties and will provide a platform for mutual investment cooperation between businesses of two countries, they said, adding the two sides are expected to establish a CEOs` forum among other initiatives to boost economic ties. The officials said that to sum up, the Chinese have four major expectations from Li`s visit --"to deepen our mutual understanding, promote our friendship, deepen our mutual trust and to promote our cooperation". PTI