India-China border talks positive: Delhi

Grappling with the long-festering boundary dispute issue for the first time since a military face-off at a Himalayan plateau near Bhutan, India and China on Friday agreed that an "early settlement of the border question serves the fundamental interests of both."

 As India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi wrapped their 20th round of talks on the boundary issue here, a statement issued by India's External Affairs Ministry Friday evening underlined the significance of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border pending a final resolution of the boundary question.    

"The talks were positive and focussed on bringing out the full potential of the closer developmental partnership between the two countries," the statement said.

Doval and Yang, the Special Representatives on the boundary issue, held the 20th round of their talks and the first since the 73-day standoff at Doklam in Bhutanese territory in June-August this year.

The latest confrontation took had started in June when India rushed its troops to stop China's People's Liberation Army from constructing a strategic road in the Doklam. However, both the countries agreed to pull back their troops on Aug 28 after negotiations through diplomatic channels.