NEW DELHI, Dec 20 : The two Special Representatives — NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese FM Wang Yi — during their Dec 18 talks in Beijing, besides discussing the framework for settlement of the boundary question also reviewed issues of peaceful border management comprehensively, the MEA said.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a briefing:
“We have put out the details of issues discussed in our press release. The two sides have reaffirmed their commitment to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for the settlement of the boundary question in accordance with the political parameters and guiding principles agreed in 2005. The 2005 agreement is available on MEA website.”
“Apart from discussing the framework for settlement of the boundary question, the SRs reviewed issues of peaceful border management comprehensively in this round,” he said.
On India and China releasing a different set of statements following the SR talks, and with Beijing releasing “six points of consensus”, the spokesperson said that New Delhi’s statement clarifies their points and “we stand by those points”.
China in its six-points consensus said, “Both sides agreed to continue enhancing cross-border communication and cooperation, promoting the resumption of pilgrimages by Indian pilgrims to Xizang, cooperation on cross-border rivers, and trade at the Nathu La Pass”.
The Indian statement said the two SRs “provided positive directions for cross-border cooperation and exchanges including resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade”.
Asked what was meant by “positive direction”, the spokesperson said “Positive direction is self-explanatory, and whatever else is required to be done will be taken forward”.
During the talks, the two sides underlined the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas to promote overall development of the bilateral relationship.
(UNI)
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