The Hindu : Front Page : India, China making progress on border talks: Pranab

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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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India, China making progress on border talks: Pranab

Working Group to prepare framework for resolution of the issue

PHOTO: AP/XINHUA

CEMENTING TIES: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Harbin on Thursday.

Harbin (China): India and China have established a Working Group to prepare a framework for the settlement of the boundary issue.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee made the announcement at a press conference here on Thursday.

The 11th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China was successful and they decided to set up a Working Group to prepare the framework, Mr. Mukherjee said after a 50-minute meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi.

“Let us wait for the recommendations of the Working Group,” said Mr. Mukherjee, who is in this northeast Chinese city to attend the third standalone trilateral meeting of Foreign Ministers of India, China and Russia.

The progress on the boundary issue comes ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later this year.

“Positive discussions”

The talks on the boundary question were held in Beijing from September 24 to 26. The Special Representatives — M.K. Narayanan, National Security Adviser, and Dai Bingguo, Vice-Foreign Minister — held “useful and positive” discussions, the Indian side said last month.

The boundary issue has hampered the development of bilateral ties, with frequent reports of incursions. Unable to find a negotiated settlement through diplomatic channels, India and China appointed Special Representatives in June 2003 to address the issue.

The meeting between Mr. Mukherjee and Mr. Yang also touched upon Dr. Singh’s visit to China, External Affairs Ministry spokesman, Navtej Sarna said.

The Ministers also looked at the possibilities of increasing bilateral trade, which has been galloping at over 30 per cent in recent times.

However, China has enjoyed a growing trade surplus, running into over $4 billion in the first six months of this year, causing concern in New Delhi.

The two leaders also discussed regional issues, including the situation in Myanmar. On Wednesday, after the trilateral meeting of Foreign Ministers, Mr. Mukherjee said India was against imposing new sanctions on Myanmar, but urged Yangon to involve all stakeholders in advancing political reforms and national reconciliation. Mr. Mukherjee, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and other senior officials, left for New Delhi on a special flight. — PTI

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