Solution expected in two or three more meetings: New Delhi
China and India have for the first time set a tentative deadline to resolve their festering border dispute, which has marred relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
'If we make progress at the rate we are progressing, a solution will be found in two or three more rounds of talks,' said Indian National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan.
Mr Narayanan's statement came after four days of closed-door negotiations with Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo in New Delhi and the Kumarakom resort in the southern state of Kerala.
The seventh round of border talks ran from Thursday to Monday, and in addition to senior foreign ministry and defence officials, Mr Narayanan and Mr Dai were assisted by their ambassadors.
But Mr Dai was less explicit than the Indian security adviser, saying: 'As we are working closely and making progress, we hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible.'
A joint statement issued yesterday before Mr Dai flew to Singapore said: 'The two sides continued the discussions for an agreed framework for the resolution of the boundary question in a constructive and friendly manner'.