Asserting that China-India boundary issue is a problem that has troubled the two nations for long, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said Beijing is determined to settle the border dispute with New Delhi.
President Xi, who was responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suggestion that there was a need to clarify the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for peace and stability between the two sides, added that China and India were capable enough to deal with the fallout from security incidents on the border.
"China has the determination to work with India through friendly consultations to settle the boundary question at an early date," the Chinese President told the media after the delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House here.
"We also have the sincerity to work with India to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas before we are finally able to settle the boundary question," he added.
The issue assumes significance in the backdrop of incursions by the Chinese side in Chumar area of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chinese Army pushed in more troops into Chumar village along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the wee hours on Thursday.
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Asserting that the two sides have agreed to work together to steer regional cooperation, President Xi said: "We will support each other's participation in regional and sub-regional cooperation."
The Chinese President said that his nation welcomes and supports India's full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation.
President Xi further said China and India are countries with major influence in the world.
"When both speak in one voice, the whole world listens," he added.
Prime Minister Modi earlier called for immediate resolution of boundary issue between India and China, saying that clarity on the Line of Actual Control is essential for improving relations between the two countries.
"We agreed that peace and tranquility in the border region constitutes an essential foundation for mutual trust and confidence and for realizing the full potential of our relationship. This is an important understanding, which should be observed diligently," said Prime Minister Modi.
"While our border related agreements and confidence building measures have worked well, I also suggested that clarification of Line of Actual Control would greatly contribute to our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility and requested President Xi to resume the stalled process of clarifying the LAC," he added.
The issue assumes importance in the backdrop of incursions by the Chinese side in Chumar area of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chinese Army pushed in more troops into Chumar village along the LAC in the wee hours Thursday.
India and China today signed 16 agreements following the talks between Prime Minister Modi and the Chinese President. The pacts include cooperation in railways, outer space and customs.
