Wednesday, December 21 2005 15:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: India and China upgraded their relations to the 'strategic' level and enunciated the 'Political Parameters and Guiding Principles' to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of their vexed boundary dispute in the year gone by.

This year also witnessed the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, another important landmark in the ties between two of the world's oldest civilizations.

The 'Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the Boundary Question' between New Delhi and Beijing, inked during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's state visit to the Indian capital in April this year has been crafted after excruciating rounds of in-camera negotiations.

It states that the differences on the boundary question, which has hampered Sino-Indian ties in the past, should not be allowed to affect the overall development of bilateral relations.

The two sides will resolve the boundary question through peaceful and friendly consultations.

"Neither side shall use or threaten to use force against the other by any means. The final solution of the boundary question will significantly promote good neighborly and friendly relations between India and China," it says.

The leadership of India and China have reiterated their readiness to seek a 'fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution, through equal and friendly consultations and proceeding from the overall interests of bilateral relations.'

After establishing the framework, the Special Representatives of India and China met for the sixth time in Shanghai and Beijing in end-September, marking the beginning of the second phase of negotiations on the boundary issue.

In the second phase, the two Special Representatives are mandated to work out an agreed framework for a boundary settlement on the basis of the agreement signed in April. Such an agreed framework will provide the basis for the delineation and demarcation of the India-China boundary to be subsequently undertaken by civil, military officials and surveyors of the two sides.

Though both countries are mum on the outcome of six rounds of talks, official sources say they are being held in a 'friendly, cooperative and constructive atmosphere, 'apparently signaling that the negotiations are moving in the right direct.'

This year also witnessed the 55th anniversary of the setting up of diplomatic ties between India and China.

"The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was an important landmark in our relations in modern times. The fifty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations provides us an important opportunity to renew our commitment to the sustained development and all round diversification of our rapidly growing ties," President A P J Abdul Kalam said in his message to his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Wen had a bilateral meeting on December 14 on the sidelines of the first East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The two sides discussed bilateral issues, including the boundary question and decided to hasten the negotiations without setting any deadline.