India Hopes Differences With China On Border Will Be Reduced

New Delhi, Mar 10, IRNA -- With 'differences' persisting with China over boundary issue, India said here Friday newly introduced working mechanism between the two countries would help in 'minimizing' or 'bridging' them. External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna stated this at a seminar organized in Singapore by the Institute of South Asian Studies, three days after India and China operationalized the agreement on the border coordination mechanism by framing the mutually agreed rules to avert the mergence of a conflict at their frontier, the PTI reported. The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was formed during the 15th round of border talks in New Delhi in January to avoid any untoward incidents between the troops on ground while patrolling the various points. 'China... is a priority in India's foreign policy. We have attempted to establish a strategic and cooperative partnership with China... China has emerged as the largest trading partner of India, and our engagement with China is now multi-faceted.' Krishna said. Naturally, as between any two large countries, there are 'areas of convergence as well as fields of divergence' between the two nations, he said. 'We will continue to engage China in a constructive and forward looking manner so that both countries can achieve a win-win situation,' Krishna said. On the border issue, Krishna said 'it is true that there are some differences between our countries such as on the boundary question. Here we will maintain dialogue with China with the objective of minimizing such differences or bridging them.' There are differences with China but overall the border is 'tranquil and balanced,' he said. Informed sources had earlier said there were no discussions between the headquarters -- Delhi and Beijing -- on a particular incident or particular situation on the boundary and the working mechanism was going to collect that information. During his address Krishna maintained that the boundary between India and China was one of the most 'peaceful and tranquil' borders. 'This border question is a difficult question which requires at lot of patient and perseverance. India has this patience and perseverance,' he said. As part of building bridges with neighbours, Krishna is in Singapore to attend a conclave of the heads of the Indian missions in the ASEAN region this weekend to understand the issues and take in suggestions for working with the prosperous region of 600 million people. 'I will have a conclave on Saturday and Sunday with the heads of the Indian Missions in the ASEAN,' he said. We will try to understand the issues involved. Each of our ambassadors will give a presentation of their views and suggestions.'/end