Emphasising that the recent boundary face-off between India and China should not come in the way of bilateral ties, Beijing has called for the redoubling of efforts by both sides to speedily resolve the boundary issue between the two countries.
It has also emphasised the need for political will from both sides to settle the issue.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson and director-general in its information department Qin Gang said in New Delhi on Monday that the two countries need to “redouble our efforts to push forward the framework for the negotiation so as to reach a fair, reasonable and a mutually acceptable solution at an early date”.
The remark is significant in that it comes just days ahead of new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to New Delhi, his first to any foreign country after the new Chinese leadership took charge in March. It is also important given that India feels the recent Chinese incursion was perhaps Beijing’s way of bringing the issue of peace and tranquillity along the undermarcated Line of Actual Control to the forefront of the bilateral agenda.
The boundary issue is expected to top the bilateral agenda during the Chinese Premier’s visit. According to Beijing, his visit also aims to deepen mutual understanding, trust and cooperation as well as friendship between the Asian giants.