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Singh, who leaves on Thursday night on a three-nation visit that includes South Korea and Myanmar, will have wide-ranging discussions with his Chinese counterpart Tang Jiaxuan on the entire gamut of bilateral ties.
He will be taking the taking the return flight of the inaugural direct service of China's Eastern Airlines, which marks the resumption of direct air links between the two countries, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji.
Considerable significance is being attached to Singh's visit, which is a follow-up to Zhu's January visit and which is seen as part of intensified efforts by the two countries to impart a new momentum in bilateral relations.
Indian officials said New Delhi has consistently viewed bilateral relations with China in a positive spirit and that it seeks friendly, cooperative, good neighbourly and mutually beneficial relations with China on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence jointly enunciated by the two countries.
New Delhi seeks a long term, stable relationship in which both sides are responsive to each other's concerns, they said adding, "We remain committed to the process of dialogue to resolve outstanding differences and to build a constructive cooperative relationship oriented towards the 21st century."
During Zhu's visit to India, the two sides had for the first time agreed on a bilateral mechanism for a counter-terrorism dialogue, the details of which are expected to be finalised during Singh's visit to pave the way for the first round of structured dialogue at an early date.
China has strong defence ties with Pakistan, which India accuses of fostering cross-border terrorism.
On the protracted boundary question, the two sides are expected to assess the progress made by the expert group comprising members of both countries, officials said.
In December 1988, both countries had agreed to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question through peaceful and friendly consultations.
Following this, the India-China Joint Working Group on the boundary question was set up. It has met 13 times, the last time in Beijing in July, 2001.
The process of 'clarification' of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the countries is also likely to figure during the talks.
At the JWG meetings, both sides have exchanged views on the maps depicting the LAC as perceived by the two sides and reaffirmed their intention to proceed with the process of confirmation and clarification of the LAC on the basis of the 1993 agreement on the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the LAC.
Singh is expected to call on Zhu, Vice Premier Qian Qichen and also meet Dai Bingguo, minister of the international department of the Communist Party of China in the course of his stay in Beijing.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is expected to visit China later this year at the invitation of Premier Zhu.
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