Date:27/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/27/stories/2005092705371200.htm

International - India & World

Dai, Narayanan hold talks

P. S. Suryanarayana

— Photo: PTI

SHARING OPTIMISM: National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo in Beijing on Monday.

SINGAPORE: India's Special Representative M.K. Narayanan and his Chinese counterpart, Dai Bingguo, on Monday began the sixth round of talks in Beijing on the sensitive boundary question. The latest round, being held in camera like the earlier ones, is expected to continue on Tuesday as well.

Taking place under new "political parameters" and "guiding principles" that the two countries agreed to in April, the current round is seen as particularly important.

Neither side made a formal comment on the talks. Speaking earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman expressed the belief that the two countries would be able to evolve a solution in the spirit of the "guiding principles." China has emphasised the importance of finding a "fair and reasonable" settlement through a process of "equal consultation and mutual understanding and accommodation."