India, China conducts talks for peace

Discussed the steps to maintain peace and tranquility

India and China Monday discussed steps to maintain peace and tranquility along their over 4,000 km disputed border and for implementation of a key border pact inked last year.

The two sides held the fifth meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs here. The Indian side, led by Gautam Bambawale, joint secretary (East Asia), comprised representatives of the ministries of external affairs, defence and home affairs as well as the army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

The Chinese delegation was led by Ouyang Yujing, director general, department of boundary and oceanic affairs in the foreign affairs ministry, and comprised representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs and national defence, said an external affairs ministry statement.

"The talks were held in a candid, constructive and forward looking atmosphere and reviewed recent developments in the India-China border areas especially in the western sector," the statement said.

Implementation of the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA), additional confidence building measures and further steps for maintaining peace and tranquility were also discussed.

The next meeting of the Working Mechanism will be held at a mutually convenient time, the statement said.

India and China inked the BDCA during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Beijing last October. The special representatives of the two sides are to hold the 17th round of talks on the boundary issue here Feb 10-11.

The talks will be led by National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi.