New Delhi: India's Ambassador to China, Vikram Misri, urged China to avoid shifting goalposts as they prove to be obstacles in the way of progress. While speaking at a virtual conference organized by a Chinese University, the Ambassador said that the importance of Indo-China relations has been amplified in view of the challenges including the covid-19 pandemic, reviving economies and sweeping technological transformations.
As per the ANI report, the Ambassador said that in view of the recent experiences between India and China suggests that finding a resolution to manage a difficult situation at a ground level depends on mature minds and consistency between words and actions.
"The first is to avoid shifting goalposts. For a long, the Indian and Chinese sides have adhered to a well-understood distinction between resolving the boundary question and managing border affairs," Mr Misri was quoted by ANI in its report.
While referring to the pre-existing mechanism, agreements and protocols that have helped both the countries to manage border disputes, the Ambassador said, "...For managing border affairs on a daily basis, we evolved a mechanism, consisting of instruments such as the WMCC and a succession of agreements, protocols and CBMs, in order to govern behaviour on the ground and ensure peace and tranquillity."
Based on the established agreements, protocols and mechanisms, a serious decision needs to be taken in order to attain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. A serious decision "naturally requires us to apply our minds," Mr Misri added.
"As EAM (External Affairs Minister) Dr S Jaishankar has stated, India-China relations must proceed on the basis of the three mutuals - mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests," Mr Misri said.
The virtual conference was also attended by a Chinese envoy to India, Sun Weidong.
(With inputs from Agencies)