Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there was an urgent need to address the prolonged border dispute with China, in an interview with the Newsweek Magazine.
"For India, the relationship with China is important and significant. It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us," the prime minister said.
The comments come at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Modi is facing criticism for ceding territory to China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Last week, Modi faced a scathing attack by key opposition Congress for letting Chinese soldiers 'enter' Indian territory.
"Why have you left a large part of our land for China. They are coming inside and you are sleeping. Have you taken sleeping pills? Have they taken opium from the fields of Rajasthan... and fed you?" Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said during an election campaign.
Addressing the recurring military conflict, Modi said, "Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just our two countries but the entire region and world."
"I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquility in our borders,' Modi added.
Speaking about the Quad grouping of U.S., Australia, Japan and India, Modi dismissed suggestions that it was formed to counter China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific
"Quad is not aimed against any country. Like many other international groupings, like SCO, BRICS and others, Quad is also a group of like-minded countries working on a shared positive agenda," Modi said.
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