NEW DELHI, March 25 �In a bid to ease tensions along the border, India and China are likely to increase the frequency of border meetings between the troops of the two countries.
Official spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs Syed Akbaruddin today told newsmen about an agreement mentioning the parameters: what would be the number of places and at what frequency they would meet. �The aim is to expand the level of frequency and places,� he said.
�Yesterday, in the statement we did indicate peace and tranquility at the border to be of utmost importance for us and this is a shared understanding with the Chinese side as good partners. We work together with the Chinese on these, on the basis of trust and understanding,� Akbaruddin said.
According to sources, the two countries are now working on increasing the frequency of the flag meetings, as also the places of the meetings between the local commanders of the armies of the two countries.
Akbaruddin was commenting on the dialogue of the Special Representatives that was held on Monday. China�s State Councillor Yang Jiechi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval co-chaired the 18th meeting on the boundary issue.
A spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in Beijing that on the boundary question, State Councillor Yang Jiechi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval reviewed the progress made at the meetings over recent years and highlighted the need for the two countries to bear in mind the big picture of the bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples, build upon the past achievement and existing consensus and press ahead with the framework negotiation along the right course.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to properly managing disputes and maintaining peace and tranquility of the border areas pending the settlement of the boundary question.
Both sides agreed that China and India are each other�s important neighbours, the two largest developing countries in the world and the most dynamic emerging markets. The development of China-India relations bears on the interests of the two peoples, as well as peace and development of the region and the world as a whole. Efforts should be made by both sides to promote practical cooperation in various fields, step up coordination and cooperation on international and regional affairs, build a more close-knit partnership of development and contribute even more to world peace and growth.
The spokesperson said that during President Xi Jinping�s successful visit to India last September, the two leaders charted the course and worked out a plan for China-India strategic cooperation in the coming five to ten years. �The two sides will work together to implement the important consensus between leaders of the two countries, maintain the momentum of high-level visits and keep advancing China-India strategic cooperative partnership,� she said.