India and China on Friday discussed a slew of new confidence building measures (CBMs) aimed at stabilising the un-demarcated border between the two countries. They also emphasised on their commitment to achieve a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary dispute at the earliest. Representatives from the two countries discussed ways to maintain peace in the 20th round of talks between Special Representatives (SRs).
The meetings of SRs — National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval from India and Chinese Communist Party's Politburo member Yang Jiechi — are mandated to finding a solution to the decades-old border dispute. The talks assumed significance in the wake of the 73-day military stand-off in Bhutan's Doklam plateau earlier this year. Sources here said that both sides discussed ways to prevent a repeat of the circumstances that triggered the crisis.
A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the SRs undertook a comprehensive review of earlier rounds of the talks and agreed that an early settlement of the boundary question serves the fundamental interests of both countries. "The two sides agreed that pending the final resolution of the boundary question, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. In this regard, the Special Representatives exchanged ideas on various confidence building measures," the statement added.
On Friday, both sides also used the opportunity to review bilateral relations including India's reservations on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passing through Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
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Former NSA Shiv Shankar Menon, who has also worked as SR for the boundary talks had earlier this year seconded former SR Dai Bingguo saying that there was not much to do by the SRs of both countries, as they have set up a framework for the border dispute way back. Both of them have stated that it was now merely a political call to settle boundaries. Sources here said the SR mechanism was an effective tool for both countries to discuss range of issues at the highest levels, besides boundary issues.
Both sides agreed to maintain regular contact and to advance the development of bilateral relations in all areas. They underlined the need for the two countries to build on their convergences, while seeking mutually acceptable resolutions of their differences with due respect for each other's sensitivities, concerns and aspirations. Acknowledging as two large developing countries their relations transcend their bilateral dimensions and have significance for peace, stability and development of Asia and the world, they exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The talks followed a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Xiamen in September on the sidelines of the BRICS summit and visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to New Delhi earlier this month for the Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting. A Chinese foreign ministry statement last week said the results of efforts made by both countries to ensure overall momentum was "unsatisfactory." But Indian side insisted that the meeting was held in a very "cordial" and "constructive" atmosphere.
The mood was set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who told the visiting Chinese dignitary that a strong relationship between the two countries was important not only for them but for the region and the world.
For a solution
The meetings of SRs — National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval from India and Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo member Yang Jiechi — are mandated to finding a solution to the border dispute.
The talks assumed significance in the wake of the 73-day military stand-off in Bhutan’s Doklam earlier this year.
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