Dialogues, forums exist, India and China need to keep meeting regularly: Krishna

Beijing, Apr.6 (ANI): India and China need to keep meeting regularly and productively and there are many dialogue formats and forums to facilitate this exercise, said External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna on Tuesday.

Addressing members of the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) on prospects for Sino-Indian relations in the 21st century, Krishna said: "A number of dialogues and forums already exist between both countries that need to keep meeting regularly. These include mechanisms where we discuss bilateral, regional and global political issues. We have a separate set of talks for the boundary question."

"There are also dedicated bodies to deliberate on trade matters and water management. Regular meetings lead to better communication, more understanding and strengthen confidence. I would, therefore, strongly encourage an intensive and sustained engagement between the two systems," he added.

Emphasizing the need for strengthening sentiment at the popular level, the minister said: "Far from sliding into complacency, we must keep pushing the pace of the relationship with new ideas and more activity. I was pleased to note that this is already underway. On the political side, the support provided by growing track-2 dialogues is a welcome development."

He said the celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries offers a great opportunity, which needs to be a "continuous and widening process."

"There are powerful symbols of connectivity between our societies," he added.

"As developing societies, our convergence is manifest on issues like climate change and global trade rules. Given their shared interest in creating a more contemporary order, the two countries can advance their respective interests much better through active cooperation," he said.

"The Peace and Tranquility Agreement of 1993, the Confidence Building Measures of 1996 and the Guiding Principles and Political Parameters of 2005 have all demonstrated that we have the ability to increase convergence and deepen mutual understanding on this complex issue through patient negotiation," he said. By Lokendra Singh (ANI)