Saturday, April 9 2005 16:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India today (Apr 9, 2005) said that it was "hopeful" that a solution to the vexed border dispute with China would be worked out soon but cautioned against expecting overnight results after the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Jiabao, "will talk about all important issues when they meet and the border question will also be discussed," Home Minister Shivraj Patil in New Delhi.

Wen begins his four-day visit to India today and Singh and Wen are slated to hold talks on Monday (Apr 11, 2005).

"They will discuss how to solve this (border) problem, about trade and how to maintain peace," he said, after distributing gallantry awards to 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in New Delhi.

However, he cautioned against pinning too much hope on the parleys saying, "We should not expect that talks will be held today and tomorrow (Apr 10, 2005) and there will be results".

"But we are going on the right path and in the present circumstances, we are very hopeful (of resolution of the dispute)."

Asked about his recent visit to Nathula Pass in Sikkim, Patil said that he interacted with Indian and Chinese soldiers there who informed that there was "understanding and peace" between them.

China had recently renewed its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, saying it was a "disputed area" between the two countries.