'Negotiations with China over border row in final stages'

New Delhi: Negotiations over the border row with China are in the final stages, Defence Minister AK Antony said in New Delhi on Monday.

"Everybody knows that border dispute is still unresolved, inspite of the fact that many rounds of negotiations have taken place. Of course, it (the negotiations) is in the final stage," he said on sidelines of a function on the annual day of Defence Accounts Department (DAD).

However, he did not elaborate over the progress in these talks. The Special Representatives of the two countries have held 15 rounds of talks so far alternatively in New Delhi and Beijing.

He was responding to queries of reporters on the occasion of 50th anniversary of India-China war.

Underlining involvement of stakeholders in the process of finding a solution to the border dispute, he said, "The pending resolution of the border dispute (is important) to avoid major tensions in the border. It should be done through governmental set up and mechanism for border management involving Services, MEA and other stake holders".

Recently, Army Chief General Bikram Singh had also "assured" the nation that his forces are prepared to deal with any such eventuality which happened in 1962.

"I am assuring the nation that 1962 will not be repeated. That's the assurance I am giving. We will not let any enemy enter our territory. Plans are afoot on all borders," Gen Singh had said.

On a question over the long pending demand of One Rank One Pension (OROP) by the ex-servicemen community, he said the government is sympathetic to their demands.

"It is an ongoing process. Even after financial crisis, we are taking care of their cases that means we are sympathetic, we know still there are problems. It is an ongoing process," he said.