China’s State Councillor Yang Jiechi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval

Tribune News Service & PTI

New Delhi, December 22

India and China today agreed that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas, and exchanged ideas on various confidence-building measures (CBMs) in that regard as the two sides tried to put behind them the Doklam episode.After a meeting between the special representatives (SRs) — India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi — the External Affairs ministry said the talks were “positive”.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)“The special representatives undertook a comprehensive review of earlier rounds of talks and agreed that an early settlement of the boundary question serves the fundamental interests of both countries. They reemphasised their commitment to achieve a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the India-China boundary question at an early date,” said an MEA press release.Today’s border talks were the first since the 73-day military standoff at Doklam.While the MEA statement did not say whether the Doklam issue was discussed, in Beijing, a spokesperson in the Chinese foreign ministry skirted a question on whether it figured during the talks and instead said: “This mechanism is not only a high-level channel for dialogue on border issues, but also an important platform for strategic communication.”Doval and Yang also called on PM Narendra Modi.The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the SR mechanism was operating very well.