India, China agreed to establish working mechanism to sort out boundary issue

New Delhi, Jan.17: India and China on Tuesday reached an agreement to establish a working mechanism to consult and coordinate to resolve the boundary issue in order to maintain peace along the India-China border.

The consensus to this effect was met at the 15th round of Special Representative talks that were held on Monday and Tuesday in New Delhi. In this talk, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon led the Indian delegation, while the State Councillor Dai Bingguo led the Chinese team.

The consensus was made that the working mechanism will be headed by an official of joint secretary level from the Ministry of External Affairs from India while the Chinese side will be represented a director general level official from the Chinese foreign ministry. The mechanism will be consisting of diplomatic and military officials.

Consensus was also made that the working mechanism would work on the ways and means to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between military personnel of both sides of border. This mechanism will also increase cooperation between the two countries in the border areas and will also find out the possibility of cooperation in the border areas.

Agreement was also made that the working mechanism will look after all the other tasks upon which agreement has been reached by both sides, but discussing the resolution of the boundary question or affect the special representatives mechanism does not falls in ambit of working mechanism.

The working mechanism will address issues and situations that come to the border areas and pose threats for peace and tranquility on the border. The mechanism will also work on building friendly climate on the border.

The mechanism will also conduct consultations once or twice every year alternately in both the countries. If necessary, emergency consultations can be held after mutual agreement.

--With inputs from ANI

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