India, China to resolve outstanding differences

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) In a bid to ease irritants
which have creeped in the last one year, India and China on
Thursday reached broad consensus on several issues and pledged
firm commitment to resolve outstanding differences, including
the boundary issue at the earliest through peaceful
negotiations.
After holding talks on key security and strategic
matters, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese
counterpart Wen Jiabao issued a joint statement which said,
"There is enough space in the world for the development of
both India and China and indeed, enough areas for India and
China to cooperate."
Noting that resolution of the boundary question is one
of the ten-pronged strategies agreed by leaders of the two
countries, the leaders decided that pending its resolution,
the two sides shall work together to maintain peace and
tranquility in the border areas in line with the previous
agreements.
The two sides also noted the good cooperation between
China and India in the field of trans-border rivers with the
Indian side appreciating the assistance provided by the
Chinese side on the flood-season hydrological data and
emergency management.
Underlining their unequivocal opposition to terrorism
in all its forms and manifestations, the two countries
stressed that there is no justification for any act of
terrorism anywhere.
"They committed themselves to countering terrorism
through joint efforts that include disrupting the financing of
terrorism," the statement said.
Recognizing common interests and similar concerns on
major regional and international issues, the two sides decided
to enhance their coordination and cooperation in multilateral
forums.
"China attaches great importance to India's status in
international affairs as a large developing country,
understands and supports India's aspiration to play a greater
role in the United Nations, including in the Security
Council," the statement said.
The two sides also agreed to further broad-base and
balance trade and economic cooperation and identify new
opportunities to realise the vast potential for future growth.