India stresses on peace in key meet after thaw

India on Wednesday emphasised the need for a "mutually acceptable framework" for settling the boundary issue with China as talks between Special Representatives of the two sides focused on cross-border cooperation, such as resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade.

- Rezaul H Laskar

India on Wednesday emphasised the need for a "mutually acceptable framework" for settling the boundary issue with China as talks between Special Representatives of the two sides focused on cross-border cooperation, such as resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade.

The readout issued by the Indian side following the meeting in Beijing between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, however, made no mention of a six-point consensus the Chinese foreign ministry claimed was reached by the two sides. Doval and Wang are the two Special Representatives on the border issue.

The Indian readout said the Special Representatives "reiterated the importance of maintaining a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of the boundary question". Doval and Wang "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”, the readout said. They agreed on the importance of “stable, predictable and amicable India-China relations for regional and global peace”.