Border talks with China in 'hardest' phase

NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding the Chinese military infrastructure buildup along the Line of Actual Control ( LAC), the incidents of its intrusions have declined, according to the government which says the talks on resolution of the boundary issue have entered the "hardest" phase.

Setting the tone for the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese conterpart Wen Jiabao in Bali, Indonesia, tomorrow, government sources said today that the two countries have moved beyond the one-issue relationship focussed on border row to the "full spectrum" of engagement despite having "one of the most complex relationships in the world".

The sources noted that bilateral trade between India and China had been witnessing robust growth, crossing USD 61 billion mark last year and 17 per cent increase in the seven months of this fiscal although the "big issue" of imbalance in favour of China remains.

The relationship is fraught with "risks" but it should not be stereotyped, the sources said while pointing to the complex nature of the relationship which has elements of both "competition and cooperation".

Noting that the Line of Actual Control has been calm for nearly four decades, they said the Chinese intrusions had come down in the last few years although its military capabilities have increased. They, however, did not give any figures.

The sources said the intrusions, from either China or India, had become kind of predictable as both sides know where these will take place but there is no military confrontation.

The intrusions are actually symbolic, with both sides leaving traces like cigarette packets or writing on stones, to assert claim over the territory.