China: PM Singh takes tough stand on border incursion

New Delhi, May 21: India on Monday clearly told China that it can not accept disturbance of the status quo on the border area and incidents like the recent incursion in Depsang could derail bilateral ties.

The new stance was asserted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after he met his visiting Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, saying the basis for continued growth and expansion of ties between India and China is peace and tranquility on the borders.

Singh said the two countries, following a frank discussion, took stock of lessons learnt from the recent incident in the western sector. He, however, mentioned that the existing mechanisms helped in diffusing the latest border tension.

The focus on peace on the border areas is a significant shift in New Delhi's policy towards Beijing for so far the former looked eager not to let the border friction hinder cooperation in other spheres and it seems to be a clear consequence of the Ladakha incursion last month. The government, although said then that it was a local issue, but its strong stance now reflects the seriousness of th issue.

Both India and China have agreed to quicken steps to resolve the border differences. India's National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi will meet in the next six weeks to take the boundary talks forward.

India will push for clarificication of the controversial Line of Actual Control. The two sides have already exchanged maps in the middle sector and have shown maps in the western sector. India will seek early agreement on a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable boundary settlement", Singh said.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Premier is set to arrive in Mumbai on Tuesday.

OneIndia News