Beijing: In an attempt to speed up resolution of the border dispute, India and China on June 24 agreed to appoint a special representative to explore from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship, a framework on the boundary settlement.

In the first-ever joint declaration of Principles of Relations and Comprehensive Co-operation signed by Prime Minster Atal Behari Vajpayee and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, India recognised that the Tibetan Autonomous Region is part of the territory of the People's Republic of China.

It reiterated that New Delhi would not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China political activities in India.

The Declaration and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on expanding border trade, also initialled on June 23 by ministers of the two countries, were made public on June 24.

PTI