This Article is From Oct 23, 2009

PM to meet Chinese Premier in Thailand

PM to meet Chinese Premier in Thailand

AFP image

New Delhi: Beijing has confirmed that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao will meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Thailand this weekend.

Ahead of the meet, the two sides struck a conciliatory tone saying the ties were on a "very good term" and the boundary disputes can be resolved amicably.

"The two sides are on great terms; there is utmost cooperation between us and ministers on both sides are working together to ensure that things remain this way," Chinese Envoy to India, Zhang Yan said.

Apart from Wen, Singh would hold bilateral meetings with other leaders attending the summit, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs N Ravi said.

He said schedule for bilateral meetings is being worked out. Sources, however, indicated that meeting between Singh and Wen could take place on Saturday.

Asked if the two leaders would discuss the boundary issue, Ravi said, "Relations between India and any other country including China covers wide range of subjects of mutual interest."

In Beijing, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue also said that the two Prime Ministers would have an "important meeting" in Thailand.

"There has been good progress in our bilateral relationship and we hope this momentum can be sustained," Hu said.
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