India-China plan to resume border talks

K J M Varma
Beijing, Jul 6 (PTI) India and China plan to resume
the next round of talks to resolve differences over
demarcation of borders and conduct joint military exercises so
as to boost bilateral ties, National Security Adviser
Shivshankar Menon said on Tuesday.
Menon, who is here on a four-day visit as Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy, said India and China
would be finalising dates to resume talks to resolve
differences over demarcation of borders and to conduct joint
military exercises.
Talking to the Indian media here before leaving for
home, Menon said the dates for the resumption of the next
round of border talks between the two countries would be set
through diplomatic channels.
The two sides so far held 13 rounds of talks to
resolve the differences over demarcation of boundaries. The
last round was held in New Delhi in 2009.
Menon, the designated representative of India for the
border talks, met his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo Monday
and discussed bilateral issues.
Menon came here as Prime Minister's envoy with a
wider mandate to discuss whole gamut of relations between the
two countries.
He also said dates would be set for India-China
military exercises which are due this year. Dates are being
set for the joint military exercises.
Menon's visit coincided with China-Pakistan military
exercises focusing on anti-terrorism drills.
Indian and Chinese armies have so so far held two
rounds of joint counter terrorism exercise to enhance military
to military cooperation and improve confidence building.
Asked whether China understands India's concerns
relating to Pakistan, Menon said the two countries have
high-level understanding between the two leaderships.
"Yes, we understand each other better and better. This
is not static. The situation keeps changing. We keep changing
we are growing. This is an ongoing exercise," he said, adding
"We understand their interest I think they understand
our core interests as well". PTI