Echoing Beijing’s view seeking a speedy settlement of the boundary issue between India and China, the government has emphasised that an early resolution will advance the basic interests of the two countries and should be pursued as a “strategic objective” by both. Importantly, days ahead of Chinese Premier Li Kequiang’s visit to India, the government has once again drawn attention to its suggestion some years ago to China on having clarity on the LAC until the final resolution of the boundary dispute. India’s remarks on the boundary question come a day after Chinese foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Qin Gang said in the capital that the two sides need to redouble their efforts to push forward the framework for the negotiation to reach a solution at an early date.
In using the term “strategic objective”, India is keen to convey two important messages on the boundary question to its neighbour, said sources. One, it wants both countries to accord “high priority” to the settlement of the long-pending boundary dispute. Two, it wants both the countries to approach the matter with “serious intent”.
With the recent Chinese incursion having brought the boundary question centrestage, India is keen to flag its priorities on the issue during the bilateral discussions with Mr Li.
Regarding India’s suggestion that the two sides at least agree on an LAC, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said on Tuesday, “One of the mechanisms we had thought of while the border issue is to be resolved was to try and clarify and confirm the LAC pending the final settlement of the boundary question.”
He said this was a suggestion “we had placed on the table quite some time ago”.
However, sources note that this is a proposal that “the Chinese have always resisted for they think that once you have an agreed line, it will become the boundary”.