NEW DELHI, May 29: China has told India to resolve a border row between them with discretion and not go public about the nagging dispute, a reminder that New Delhi may have protested too loudly after Beijing denied visa to an official from India's Arunachal Pradesh state, which China lays claims to.

“In the backdrop of its denial of visa to an IAS officer from Arunachal Pradesh, China on Tuesday said bilateral differences should not be brought to the fore till a fair and reasonable settlement of the vexed boundary issue is reached,” Press Trust of India reported from Beijing.

It quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu as saying: “We hold that the boundary issue between China and India should be settled fairly and reasonably at an early date through friendly consultations.” Before the boundary settlement, the differences should not be brought into the front, affecting exchanges between the two nations, Jiang told PTI when asked to comment on Beijing's refusal to grant visa to an Indian IAS official from Arunachal Pradesh.

“China welcomes the friendly exchanges between the two nations,” Jiang said without confirming the denial of Chinese visa to Gonesh Koyu, an

IAS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh cadre who was to be part of a 107-strong delegation of Inidan officers who planned to travel to China.

“We welcome the Indian personnel to come and visit China and participate in the training programme,” she said, apparently referring to New Delhi's decision to cancel the visit of 107 IAS officers for mid-career training in China.

China's refusal of visa to the officer from Arunachal Pradesh got a strong reaction from the state's chief minister Dorjee Khandu on Monday. Mr Khandu, who was in New Delhi, said: “It is quite unfortunate that China refuses to accept the reality that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.” He asked the Indian government to take up the issue with China at the appropriate level.

The foreign ministers of the two countries met in Hamburg on Tuesday, but it was not clear if the latest dispute came up for discussion.

The Indian foreign ministry said Mr Pranab Mukherjee had a 40-minute meeting with China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. This was the first meeting between Mr Mukherjee the new Chinese Foreign Minister.

The two ministers reviewed bilateral relationship in the light of the 10-pronged strategy to strengthen bilateral relations that was spelt out during President Hu Jintao's visit in November 2006.

“The discussion also touched upon the boundary question and it was agreed that Special Representatives will continue with their work with the encouragement and guidance of the political leadership,” the Indian statement said.