NEW DELHI, Jan 17 � In a fresh attempt to restore normalcy along the border, India and China on Tuesday set up a mechanism signing a pact on �Establishment of a Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs. The agreement envisages timely communication on the border situation to prevent flare-ups along the India-China border.
The agreement was signed at the end of two-day border talks between India and China here today. Assistant Minister, MFA, Liu Zhenmin and India�s Ambassador to China, Dr. S. Jaishankar signed the pact in presence of the Special Representatives (SRs), State Councillor Dai Binguuo and National Security Adviser, Shiv Shankar Mennon at Hyderabad House here this afternoon.
The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs to deal with important border affairs related to maintaining peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas would be headed by a Joint Secretary level official from the Ministry of External Affairs and a Director General level official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China besides comprising diplomatic and military officials of the two sides.
The Working Mechanism would study ways and means to conduct and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between military personnel and establishments of the two sides in the border areas, besides exploring the possibility of cooperation in the border areas.
The Working Mechanism, however, would not focus on resolution of the boundary issue and the issue has been left for the SRs to handle. Working Mechanism would undertake other tasks that are mutually agreed upon by the two sides but will not discuss resolution of the Boundary Question or affect the Special Representatives Mechanism, the agreement said.
The latest Mechanism proposes to address issues and situations that may arise in the border areas that affect the maintenance of peace and tranquillity and will work actively towards maintaining the friendly atmosphere between the two countries. The Working Mechanism would hold consultations once or twice every year alternately in India and China. Emergency consultations, if required, may be convened after mutual agreement.
