Indo-China boundary talks made progress: China

BEIJING—Ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao`s maiden visit to India, Beijing has expressed satisfaction over its upgraded strategic ties with New Delhi and said there has been “progress” on the vexed boundary issue.
“Boundary negotiations made progress and border areas remained peaceful and tranquil,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in its latest issue of “China`s Foreign Affairs 2006”.
The annual report of the Chinese Foreign Ministry did not elaborate on the nature of “progress” made during talks between the special representatives of the two governments since New Delhi and Beijing signed the agreement on the `political parameters and guiding principles for the settlement of the China-India boundary question in 2005.
However, it noted that the signing of the bilateral agreement during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao`s visit to India last year marked the “successful conclusion” of the first phase of negotiations on the framework for settling the boundary question.
The unsettled boundary question will be one of the major topics for discussion when the Indian leadership holds talks with Hu, also general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) when visits India from November 20.
The report also comes as the two special representatives - Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and National Security Advisor, M Narayanan are set to hold the eighth round of border negotiations in New Delhi next week.
The seventh round of their talks was held in New Delhi and Kumarakom from March 11-13, 2006 after which the two sides issued a brief statement that the two special representatives continued their discussions for an agreed framework for the resolution of the boundary question in a “constructive and friendly atmosphere.”
The report noted that overall bilateral relations were elevated to a higher level-strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity and bilateral ties have witnessed growing friendly exchanges and cooperation on all fronts.
“Frequent high-level interactions and deepening mutual trust underscored the good momentum of political relations,” the report said while evaluating the growing exchanges between the two neighboring nations.
The report also noted that defense exchanges between India and China grew steadily and the two sides agreed to enhance bilateral military exchanges and cooperation which would contribute to their good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.
China and India also maintained good coordination in regional and international affairs, the report said. It noted that India was accepted as an observer by the Beijing-based Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional security grouping.
The SAARC also agreed in principle with the desire of China to be associated as an observer to the organization, the report said.
It also noted that in the fiscal year 2004/2005, China became the top import supplier and the third largest export market for India.—Agencies