BEIJING, March 29: Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan has said China and India should push forward negotiations over their disputed border as a way of improving relations, state television reported on Friday.

“The two sides should actively and practically push the process of negotiation on the border issue,” Tang was quoted as saying to visiting Indian counterpart Jaswant Singh on China Central Television (CCTV).

Singh met Chinese officials during the first day of a five-day trip to China following a visit by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji to New Delhi in January.

Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen said during talks with Jaswant Singh there should be no confrontation between the two Asian powers under any circumstances, CCTV said.

“India leaders have said (they do) not regard China as a threat. China does not regard India as a threat either,” Qian was quoted as saying.

The first direct commercial flight between China and India since the 1962 war left Beijing on Thursday bound for New Delhi, marking a milestone in warmer ties.—Reuters