A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held intense discussions on border dispute where Modi even raised serious concerns on the prevailing situation, the two countries have stressed for an “early solution” of the boundary dispute. As the stand-off at the line of Actual Control (lAC) continues, in a joint statement, India and China have said that early settlement of the boundary question should be pursued as a ‘strategic objective’ since it will advance basic interests of the two countries.
The statement said the two sides agreed to ‘proactively resolve all outstanding differences’ through ‘friendly negotiation’ without letting them affect the overall development of bilateral relations. India and China will work on consolidating the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity keeping in mind mutual and equal security and sensitivity for each other’s concerns and aspirations. In fact, the two sides will now strengthen their political communication, deepen strategic trust and intensify political dialogue and consultations at all levels to keep the atmosphere of trust alive.
While on the boundary question both sides agreed to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution, they also reposed faith in the mechanism of Special Representatives for seeking a political settlement of the boundary question and of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs for handling border related matters. There have been 17 rounds of talks so far of the Special Representatives.
“Peace and tranquility on the India-China border areas was recognised as an important guarantor for the development and continued growth of bilateral relations. Pending a final resolution of the boundary question, both sides would continue to make efforts to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas,” the statement said.
China said it supports India’s aspiration to play a greater role in the UN including in the Security Council. “China attaches great importance to India’s status in international affairs as a large developing country, and understands and supports India’s aspiration to play a greater role in the UN including in the Security Council,” it said.
The two sides will hold the fourth joint Army training, navy/air force joint exercises, and strengthen cooperation in areas of peace-keeping, counter-terrorism, naval escort, maritime security, humanitarian rescue, disaster mitigation, personnel training, and think-tank communication. India and China will hold first round of maritime cooperation dialogue and consultations on disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control soon.
Xi and Modi decided to carry out cooperation in civil nuclear energy in line with their respective international commitments, including working level consultations between the Department of Atomic Energy of India and the China Atomic Energy Authority. India has given in-principle approval for opening of the Bank of China in Mumbai.
President Xi Jinping has invited President Pranab Mukherjee and Modi to China.