India, China should resolve disputes at regional level through dialogue, jointly maintain peace on border: China

India and China should resolve disputes peacefully through dialogues at the regional level and jointly uphold peace and stability in the region, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said as ties between the two countries came under some strain ahead of the second informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.

In an interview to PTI, the Chinese envoy said both India and China should go beyond the model of "management of differences" and work towards actively shaping bilateral relations through accumulation of positive energy and forging greater cooperation for common development.

Though Xi is scheduled to arrive in Chennai on Friday for the informal summit in the ancient coastal town of Mamallapuram, both sides are yet to announce his visit, in an indication of the uneasiness over the Kashmir issue clouding the preparations for the meet. China is expected to make an announcement on Wednesday about Xi's nearly 24-hour-long visit to India.

"At the regional level, we should resolve disputes peacefully through dialogues and consultations and jointly uphold regional peace and stability," the Chinese ambassador said, noting that China-India ties transcend the bilateral dimension and have assumed global and strategic significance.

"The two sides should strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust, give full play to the irreplaceable guidance of the two leaders in bilateral relations, and ensure the accurate transmission and solid implementation of the consensus reached by the two leaders," said the envoy, referring to the outcomes of first informal summit between Modi and Xi in Chinese city of Wuhan last year.

Sun also pitched for jointly maintaining peace and tranquility along the border before a final settlement on the issue is found, noting that it is normal for neighbours to have differences.

He said India and China should not let the boundary dispute affect the normal development of bilateral relations.

"Before the final settlement of the boundary question, we need to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. I want to point out that it is normal for neighbours to have differences.

"The key is to properly handle differences and find a solution through dialogue and consultation," the envoy said.

Noting that the positive effect of Wuhan Summit is constantly unfolding, the Chinese envoy said, "We should go beyond the model of differences management, actively shape bilateral relations and accumulate positive energy. We should enhance exchanges and cooperation, promote convergence of interests and achieve common development."