New Delhi, July 20: Days after Nathula pass was opened for border trade, China has said the decades-old boundary issue with India will not stand in way of the improvement of overall relationship between the two countries.
Beijing said it was expected the bilateral trade to exceed USD 20 billion this year and noted that opening of borders for commerce was a step in this direction.
“The border issue will not stand in the way of the overall development of relationship between the two countries,” Chinese ambassador to India Sun Yuxi told reporters here.
He said the special representatives of the two countries, who are holding talks on resolving the vexed border issue, are making progress and trying to work out a framework for settling the dispute.
The special representatives — National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo — have held three rounds of parleys so far and are expected to hold the next round soon.
The two countries have already signed an agreement on political parameters and guiding principles aimed at resolving the boundary issue.
“The agreement already provides for reaching the settlements regarding the demarcation (of the border),” he said, adding “We will keep our boundaries peaceful.”
He said china is contemplating opening a new consulate general office in Kolkata.
