Baglung, September 25:

The officials of Nepal and China today began bilateral talks on the border dispute in Dhongbasen bordering Mustang and Tibet. Chief district officer Pradip Raj Kandel of Mustang district led the Nepali team at the talks that began after nearly 20 years.

The dialogue is expected to address the problems that emerged after Tibet imposed ban on the movement of Nepalis and on grazing of cattle, the Nepali team said. Assistant chief district officer of Mustang Mohan Aryal said the Nepali team had proposed unrestricted passage of Nepalis to the bordering Tibeten market for trade, unrestricted movement of the nationals of both the countries residing in the border areas on the basis of the permits and that Tibet should extend cooperation to the wildlife conservation efforts in the border areas.