Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 21
Striving to work towards more confidence-building measures, India and China today agreed that it is important to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas and stressed on approaching the boundary issue from the strategic perspective of bilateral ties.
During the talks here between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the decades-old Sino-India boundary issue under the framework of Special Representatives dialogue, the two sides resolved to intensify efforts to achieve “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution” to boundary question.
The solution would be achieved in accordance with the directives provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping (both met in Chennai in October), a statement said. This was the 22nd meeting of the special representatives.
The special representatives agreed on working towards more confidence-building measures (CBMs), the existing ones promoting exchanges and communication between the border personnel. The boundary all along the Himalayan ridgeline in an east-west axis is not demarcated on ground.
The special representatives underlined the importance of approaching the boundary issue from the strategic perspective of India-China relations and agreed that an early settlement of the issue served the fundamental interests of both countries.
“Both sides agreed that it is important to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas for overall development of the bilateral relationship, pending final settlement of the boundary question,” a statement said.
The special representatives said stable and balanced development of India-China relations was a positive factor for peace and prosperity in the region as well as the world. There was consensus that both sides should respect each other’s sensitivities and concerns to build mutual trust.
Pak, China ink deal for artillery guns
Pakistan Army has inked a deal with China Northern Industries Corporation to procure artillery guns, the SH-15 Howitzer. Pakistan wants to procure 236 of these artillery guns. “It could be nuclear-capable,” said a source. Trials were held near Karachi earlier this year.