Chinese envoy: India-China border dispute complex, no desire for war

According to Ma Jia, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy, although China and India will have to deal with the "difficulties" brought on by the border situation, neither nation wants to go to war or engage in conflict. Ma spoke at a press conference and called the situation in the border regions "very complicated."

He added that it was difficult to come to an agreement, which was why the two nations were holding talks through the established Working Mechanism for Consultation and Cooperation and the senior commander-level meetings.

Since the G20 Summit in Bali, she claimed, the circumstances around the Ukraine issue have "intensified," making it "harder to reach the accommodation." Her comments are made in light of a joint statement from China President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin that says the two leaders will resist using global forums to discuss "irrelevant topics."

As Sun Weidong finished his term as ambassador to India in October of last year, China has failed to name a replacement. Ma, a senior diplomat, has been in command of the New Delhi mission.

Earlier, in her suo moto statements, Ma had said the current situation on the border was stable and China and India were in regular communication through the established channels - Working Mechanism for Consultation and Cooperation and the senior commander level meetings. 

“There are difficulties, I have just said that. But, we have to face it. We are also confident that China and India do not want war. Neither of us want a war. Neither of us want confrontation along the border areas,” the top Chinese diplomat in India said, giving her assessment of the border situation.

She claimed that the border dispute had a long history and that resolution was not simple. "That is why we continue to bring it up. We must discuss the issues and address them head-on. I believe that both parties want to strengthen their ties. On that, our two leaders are already in agreement, and I believe we can come up with a solution," added Ma.

The Chinese ambassador said it may be difficult to find a consensus at the G20 if "prominent security issues" were discussed at a meeting intended to discuss economic and financial issues, amid signs that Russia and China will oppose bringing up the Ukraine issue on international platforms.