Boundary issue will be discussed: India

As it gears up to host Chinese President Xi Jinping, India on Monday said it expects that the visit will address the ‘interests and concerns’ of the two countries and that ‘all substantive’ issues having bearing on the ties including the boundary dispute will be discussed.

The Indian remarks came even as local authorities in Leh said that Chinese civilians in government vehicles have entered Indian territory in Demchok in Ladakh and are preventing locals from working on an irrigation project there.

However, when asked about these incursions, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin parried a direct answer and merely said that the brave sentinels of India were capable of handling any situation. ‘As regards to issues on the table, sure there are unresolved issues including the boundary question.... Yes, it will be discussed,’ he said.