Beijing: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said India and China should pursue an early settlement of the boundary issue as a "strategic objective" while not allowing such differences to affect the "positive development" of the bilateral ties.

"I am going (to China) with an open mind to hold free and frank discussions on all issues of common interests with a view to shaping a relationship that befits our two countries and our future generations," Singh said in a written interview to the official Xinhua news agency published today, a day before he undertakes his maiden trip to the Communist nation.

Describing his visit as "part of the recent happy tradition of high-level exchanges" between the two countries, Singh said "India-China relations have today transcended their bilateral dimension and have acquired global and strategic significance."

On the boundary issue, he was quoted as saying that officials were engaged in discussions in order to finalise at an early date an appropriate framework for a final package settlement covering all sectors of the India-China boundary.

"An early settlement of the boundary question will advance the basic interests of the two countries and should, therefore, be pursued as a strategic objective," Singh, who would meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao during his three-day visit, said.

Noting that peace and tranquility have been maintained in the border areas, Singh said India was committed to resolving differences on the boundary question "through peaceful means and in a fair, reasonable, mutually acceptable and proactive manner, while ensuring that such differences are not allowed to affect the positive development of bilateral relations".

Source : PTI