Date:10/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/10/stories/2004011005171100.htm

National

Mishra to hold talks with Dai

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 9. The National Security Adviser, Brajesh Mishra, is scheduled to leave for Beijing on Sunday for two days of talks with the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister, Dai Bingguo, on January 12-13, in their capacities as Special Representatives to address the border dispute, official sources said today.

Mr. Mishra, who has just returned from Islamabad after detailed discussions with Pakistani officials on bilateral issues, will be holding the second round of talks with his Chinese counterpart to explore a solution to the India-China border dispute from a political perspective.

The first round of talks between Mr. Mishra and Mr. Dai took place on October 23-24 in New Delhi following the agreement on the Special Representatives' mechanism during the visit of the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to Beijing.

As per an agreement between the two countries, the talks between Mr. Mishra and Mr. Dai are not to be publicised.

Both China and India have scrupulously kept to their commitment not to make the details public.

In response to a question, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Beijing on January 6: "This is the second meeting between the Special Representatives of the two countries and the first meeting between them at the beginning of the New Year. The detailed agenda and topics of the meeting are under consideration."