India, China discuss boundary issue ahead of Wen`s Delhi trip

Beijing, Nov 29 (PTI) Ahead of Premier Wen Jiabao's New
Delhi visit, India and China Monday explored ways to resolve
the vexed boundary issue as the Special Representatives of the
two countries held the 14th round of border talks here.
The two designated officials -- National Security Adviser
Shivshankar Menon and Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo --
held a lengthy meeting to find ways to resolve differences
over demarcation of the 4000-km-long border, especially at
Aksai Chin in the Ladakh sector and Arunachal Pradesh, which
Beijing claims as part southern Tibet.
Menon, a specialist in Chinese affairs, is familiar with
the top echelons of the leadership of this country as he had
served as India's ambassador here and was also Foreign
Secretary in the past.
Menon and Dai, who are also friends, exchanged
pleasantries, reminiscing their old association before
settling down for the talks.
Welcoming the National Security Adviser, Dai, in his
opening remarks, said "I know you are directly involved in
establishing the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism" which
was set up in 2003, referring to Menon's efforts as ambassador
to Beijing at that time.
He also thanked the NSA for "recommending" his name as
the Chinese Special Representative for the boundary talks.
"But you would have never thought you will come as India's SR
for talks here," Dai said.
Applauding Menon's contribution for the betterment of
Sino-India ties, Dai said "you are not only a senior Indian
diplomat but also a famous expert on China. You are also a
very good friend of China. I am convinced that as an SR and
NSA you will make your unique contribution to further the
relations and settlement of border issues between the two
countries."
Responding to Dai's remarks, Menon said that "in India we
believe in 'karma'."
Later, the two met again over a banquet hosted by Dai in
honour of Menon. The two diplomats are scheduled to hold the
final round of the two-day talks tomorrow.
The 13th round of boundary talks was held in New Delhi in
2009 between the then NSA M K Narayanan and Dai, which ended
without much progress.
India and China have been holding talks since 1980 to
work out a formula to resolve the differences. The process got
an impetus after the two countries agreed to establish the
Special Representatives' mechanism.
In the process, the two countries also signed agreements
in 1993 and 1996 to maintain peace and stability along the
border areas, besides inking a political guiding principle on
demarcation of the boundary in 2005.