India, China vow to maintain 'peace, tranquility' in border areas

Meeting was between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Yang Jiechi, China's state councilor and special representative of China

India and China on Tuesday vowed to maintain “peace and tranquillity” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), even as both sides agreed to find a solution to the border dispute issues at an “early date".

This was decided during the 18th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China on the boundary question that was held over Monday and Tuesday.

The meeting was between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Yang Jiechi, China’s state councilor and SR of China on the boundary question.

“The special representatives expressed satisfaction at the growing interaction between the border forces of the two countries and agreed to further expand such contacts, as these constitute important confidence building measures for maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” said the ministry of external affairs (MEA), in a statement here.  The talks were aimed at paving the way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit there in May. Modi is believed to have decided that he will visit China before completing one year in office.

Both sides also agreed to seek a solution to the long-pending border dispute at an “early date” which will be “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable” to both sides.

This was the first meeting of the SRs since the present government came to power in May. Both sides, however, expressed “satisfaction” over the progress made so far during the earlier round of talks.  India and China also noted the increased interaction between the border forces of the two countries and decided to expand such exercises.

Incidents of border incursions that took place last year in September was also learnt to have been taken up strongly by the Indian side.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, both sides have decided to bring the matter to a close keeping in the mind the bigger picture of long-term bilateral ties.

“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to properly managing disputes and maintaining peace and tranquillity of the border areas pending the settlement of the boundary question,” said its spokesperson Hua Chunying.

Yang also met Modi later in the day and conveyed the greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. Modi hoped that his visit to China will have “concrete outcomes and take the relationship to a new level".