Boundary dispute could be resolved through Spl Representatives: PM,

Berlin, Jun 7 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao today expressed confidence that the boundary dispute between the two countries could be resolved through the ongoing negotiations between their special representatives on the issue.

Confirming that the dispute figured at the 35-minute meeting between the two leaders, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said Dr Singh and Mr Hu reposed faith in the talks between National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo.

The two leaders agreed that the special representatives (SRs) could work out an early solution under the guiding principles and political parameteres finalised during the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to India in 2005.

Mr Menon said the very fact that the SRs had met twice this year showed that they were working ''very hard'' and there was ''progress.'' He said the recent diplomatic spat between the two countries, following China's refusal to grant visa to an IAS officer from Arunachal Pradesh, did not come up at the talks.

Asked about Chinese Foreign Minister's recent contention that his country's claim over Arunachal Pradesh could not be weakened by any argument, Mr Menon merely said this was part of the negotiations between the SRs.

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