M A I N   N E W S

India, China discuss border issue

NEW DELHI, April 28 (UNI) — The 12th session of the Indo-China Joint Working Group on the boundary question began here today with delegations of the two countries reviewing recent developments in the bilateral relations and exchanging ideas on the situation in the region.

The two-day meeting will also discuss additional measures for ensuring peace and tranquillity on the borders.

The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh and Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Yang Wenchang.

The two countries had agreed during External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh’s visit to China in June, 1999, to further promote confidence-building measures and have a security dialogue.

The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of the first ever Indo-China security dialogue held in Beijing on March 6 and 7 and the commemoration of the 5oth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The meeting is also reported to have discussed the agenda of President K.R. Narayanan’s coming visit to China in May.

Later talking to reporters, Mr Wenchang said the dialogue would help consolidate bilateral relations.

He said the two sides were able to exchange views in a friendly manner on a host of bilateral matters.

Beijing (PTI): China has thanked India for voting against a US sponsored anti-China draft resolution at the ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Commission, saying that the support rendered by it would further strengthen Sino-Indian relations.

In a letter to Mr Jaswant Singh this week, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan thanked India for voting against the anti-China draft resolution tabled by the USA, condemning it for the deteriorating human rights situation in China and said the move would instil new vitality into the relations between the two countries.