Beijing, June 24: India today named national security adviser Brajesh Mishra as its special representative to explore from the political perspective settlement of the protracted border issue with China. On its part, China appointed its seniormost vice minister in the ministry of foreign affairs as its special representative, signalling a strong desire on both side to expedite resolution of the vexed boundary question.

Giving details of the first-ever joint declaration signed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha said the two sides agreed to continue maintenance of peace and tranquility on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It was also decided that the 1993 and 1996 accords by the two countries would be adhered to in the process of seeking clarifications of the LAC, he said.

Bureau Report