China expert: Avoid fixed time frame to resolve border row

That India and China share a complex history means that common interests do not automatically translate into frank cooperation. Though the border issue continues to be the core of the differences,setting unnecessary time tables for its resolution should be avoided, Zhao said in a recent article carried by Xinhua.

NSA Shivshanker Menon will visit Beijing later this month for the special representative level talks on the border issue. Defence Minister A K Antony is also going next month to discuss a border defence cooperation agreement.

The comments come even as a Hong Kong magazine expressed surprise at the raising of the boundary issue by PM Manmohan Singh at the joint press conference with Li.

The fact that the Indian PM raked up differences on the border took some by surprise. However,even on this sensitive topic,Premier Li came up with the reply,We are not only strategic partners,but friends. Therefore,we can be frank with each other. We cannot deny the differences but by working on improving the efficiency of the relevant mechanisms,we can resolve our differences, The Phoenix Weekly said in an article.