(Image source from: India - China to solve border dispute)
China welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments stating both sides had taken a decision to not allow the long running boundary dispute to escalate, saying it also held a "positive" view on the border and was willing to work with India to reach a solution. Prime Minister said in an interview that last year's visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping had given the relationship "a new level of energy". Regarding the boundary dispute, he said "the most important point right now is that peace and tranquility must not be disturbed". The media interview and the Chinese reaction came a month before Modi’s visit to China. Diplomats from both countries are currently working out details of the visit, during which a declaration on the dispute, looming over bilateral relations and modest trade ties, is expected by many.
"That would create conditions for us to arrive at a mutually-acceptable solution," Modi said. "The present priorities of both nations are the economic welfare of their people. We have taken a conscious decision not to allow confrontation to escalate into conflict. Leaderships in both countries are pragmatic and open-minded. Therefore, we do have realistic expectations," the Prime Minister said.
"China has always taken a positive attitude on the China - India boundary question, Last September when visiting India, President Xi Jinping said publicly that China is confident to resolve the boundary question together with the Indian side through friendly negotiations and maintaining peace and tranquility of the border area", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told. "We are willing to work with India to press ahead with the negotiations process to reach a comprehensive and reasonable solution that is acceptable to both the parties," Hua said. Hua said it was "an undeniable fact" that there was "a huge dispute" in the eastern sector. "China always holds a consistent and clear position on the China-India boundary question," she said, adding that the two sides "should make joint efforts to maintain peace and tranquility" and "create favourable conditions" to solve the boundary question.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China, the two countries will discuss whether officers from either side could train at military training academies in each other's country. Indian military training establishments allow mid-level officers from "friendly foreign countries", like USA, Sri Lanka, Africa, Philippines, Vietnam etc to train alongside Indian officers in their courses. Indian officers too train at foreign military schools.
By Premji
