Tuesday, September 6 2005 19:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao in New York later this month on the margins of the UN General Assembly session to discuss the entire gamut of bilateral ties and review progress on talks to resolve the boundary question and other issues.

As part of high-level exchanges, Home Minister Shivraj Patil will pay a five-day visit to China from tomorrow for parleys on further intensifying the joint fight against international terrorism and enhancing cooperation between the police and security agencies of the two countries.

There was need to have "closer cooperation" between the two countries to also deal with cross-border crimes, Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi said at a press conference here today to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

Prime Minister's Special Representative and National Security Adviser M K Narayanan will also fly to Beijing later this month to meet his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo to carry forward dialogue on the political parametres and guiding principles to find a solution to the boundary question.

Sun said "Tibet is no longer an issue" between India and China. He said doors for negotiations with Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader, have been kept open but made it clear that if he really wanted to play a role in Tibet, he should recognise both Tibet and Taiwan as integral parts of China.

Asked when the Nathu La Pass would be opened for trade, he said this could be "sometimes in the middle of next year". Sun said experts from the two sides would meet very soon to discuss issues like connecting roads and setting up facilities relating to Customs, Immigration and related areas.

While the Indian side wants this route to be opened this year, China has yet to complete about 40 to 50 km stretch of road construction on its side. Observing that the border has remained tranquil and peaceful for many years, he said "we should keep it that way".

He also said that those guarding the border were celebrating each other's traditional festivals together singing and dancing. Asked about India setting up its Consulate in Lhasa, Sun said New Delhi has not applied for permission. He also hoped there would be more direct flights to Tibet.

On whether Dalai Lama would be allowed to visit Tibet, Sun said he has to first recognise Tibet and Taiwan as an integral part of China. They were still engaged in separatist activities and this was not acceptable to China, he said.

Sun said Dalai Lama's representative met a senior Chinese diplomat. "We know exactly their position," he said.