Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently in Beijing to enhance military cooperation with China, has said that accepting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as the final border is the only possible solution for the Sino- Indian border dispute. A stance that China has rejected in the past.

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Speaking on the issue during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan, a General with the People's Liberation Army, Parrikar said that the process of actually marking the LAC is essential for proper border management.

"Without that everything goes by perceptions, which has caused problems sometimes," Parrikar said.

However, India's defence minister ruled out any time limit for any agreement over the LAC, but stressed that any agreement on such a precarious issue would be good for entire region.

Meanwhile, China and India have made progress on establishing a hotline between military officials of the two countries. The hotline is expected to become operational in the coming months. The hotline is expected to bring down border skirmishes that keep flaring up between the two countries.

Parrikar's visit to China presented an opportunity for both countries to exchange concern on a host of critical issues. India's defence minister raised Masood Azhar issue and China's silk route and maritime programs in Pakistan, while Chinese officials raised the issue of India's growing interest in the South China Sea dispute.               

Speaking specifically on the Azhar issue Parrikar said, "On the UN issue, we think it (Chinese action) is not in the right direction. We have taken it up with them."

Tagschina, India, Manohar Parrikar