Monday, April 11 2005 22:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Declaring their intention to resolve the vexed boundary issue in a "pro-active" manner, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao today (Apr 11, 2005) asserted they had the "will to take decisions" and "make adjustments" that may be required to reach a settlement.

The two countries, after talks between Singh and Wen, signed an agreement on three-phased Guiding Principles whose first stage has been completed and the next will start soon.

The Prime Minister made a clear statement that "we have the will to take decisions that are required to reach a settlement," Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said briefing reporters about the parleys.

The same sentiment was expressed by the Chinese Prime Minister, he said, adding the intention on both sides was to look for ways to "bridge the differences".

Saran said India and China decided to adopt "pro-active means" to deal with the boundary settlement issue and added that the Special Representatives of the two countries will work for framework of the boundary issue resolution.

The Guiding Principles, signed between the two countries, set out parameters or limits within which the two countries will have to find a "politically-acceptable solution to the boundary issue."

"Certain things will be ruled out because of these principles availed upon. Certain pointers are being given to how to find a solution to the boundary issue," he said.