Backstage abuzz over Wen agenda

India and China are inching closer to formalising a set of guiding principles for the settlement of the boundary question, with the final de...

India and China are inching closer to formalising a set of guiding principles for the settlement of the boundary question, with the final details to be worked out over the next couple of days. New Delhi is hopeful that both sides will be able to finalise the agreement before Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao begins official meetings here on April 11.

So while Wen will be in Bangalore over the weekend, touring the Indian Space Research Organisation and Indian Institute of Science, Vice-Minister in the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wu Dawei will be here to hold last-minute discussions with Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran on the various agreements to be signed during the visit. These include political announcements, pacts for enhancing economic cooperation and a civil aviation agreement adding more flights, destinations and opening up China’s skies to Indian private carriers.

The Special Representatives (SRs) on the boundary question from both sides, Dai Bingguo and National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan, will meet on Sunday to finalise an agreement on the guiding principles. The SRs have so far met four times and Sunday will be their fifth meeting.

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While officials are tightlipped over what these guiding principles were, sources said it would take into account aspects like geography, the profile of population and existing legal framework for specific areas to work as a guide for the SRs in future negotiations.

The two sides are expected to firm up a protocol on CBMs flowing from agreements signed in 1993 and 1996 to maintain peace along the border. The CBMs will be aimed at strengthening cooperation in border areas.

On the eve of Wen’s visit, PM Manmohan Singh today chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security to take stock of the issues that would figure during the talks when the two leaders meet on April 11. The two leaders would also discuss ways to carry forward recommendations of the Joint Study Group examining trade and economic cooperation.

On the Sikkim issue, New Delhi said it was still awaiting a more ‘‘authoritative statement’’ from Beijing even though Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi made it clear last week that Chinese maps from now on will show Sikkim as part of India.

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