Indian, Chinese Representatives in Kerala for border talks

Kumarakom, Kerala, Mar 12 (UNI) The Indian and Chinese special representatives on the border issue, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, arrived here today to a ceremonial welcome to continue the seventh round of talks on the border issue.

The two delegations, which arrived at the Taj Garden Retreat here at 1220 hrs, were given a ceremonial salute by the Kerala police.

This was followed by a traditional Kerala welcome with the Panchvaadyaam and jasmine garlands.

The two sides will resume the talks which started in New Delhi yesterday in the post lunch session. The talks will continue tomorrow.

The Special Representatives from the two countries met yesterday in New Delhi in an attempt to find a solution to the decades-old border issue between the two countries and discussed the nitty gritties of how to end the stalemate.

India says China occupies 38,000 sq km of Indian territory in Kashmir while Beijing lays claim on 90,000 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh.

The two governments appointed special representatives in June 2003 to address the issues. The last round of talks on solving the boundary dispute was held in Beijing in September.

Before holding discussions, the Chinese Special Representative called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

UNI ARC YA PM1317