China today said that a border consultative mechanism with India has played a "positive role" and could be leveraged to bring about a final settlement of the boundary issue.
The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs launched last year has played a "positive role in enhancing cooperation and understanding between the border related departments and the timely treatment of border related issues and stabilisation of border situation," Hong Lei, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, told a media briefing.
The mechanism mooted by former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in 2010 will hold its fourth meeting here from September 29 to 30 to finalise a new Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) stated to be more comprehensive in dealing with tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The mechanism, headed by the foreign ministry officials of both sides played a key role in resolving the tensions sparked off by the incursion of Chinese troops in Depsang Valley this year besides other intrusions along the LAC.
Significantly, Hong said, the mechanism could be leveraged to resolve the vexed boundary dispute.
"China is ready to work with India to leverage this working mechanism to truly uphold the long term peace and tranquillity in border areas so as to create a sound atmosphere for the final settlement of the boundary question and the sound and stable development of bilateral relations," he said.
Tensions are on the rise as India has stepped up infrastructure development along the nearly 4000 kilometres long boundary, building more roads and setting up watch towers.
India and China have held 16 rounds of Special Representatives talks to resolve the boundary issue so far.
The BDCA agreement was expected to be signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit here in late October.
Recurring incursions by PLA troops was expected to figure high on the agenda in Singh's talks with the Chinese leaders.
Skipping any reference to BDCA, which was also initially mooted by China, Hong said during the meeting of the mechanism here the two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on the border situation.
