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India, China for early end to border row
Tribune News Service

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan during a meeting with other delegates in New Delhi on Friday. PTI

New Delhi, September 19
Amid reports of withdrawal of troops in Ladakh, India and China today reiterated to “pro-actively” resolve all outstanding differences based on ‘Panchsheel’ and consolidate the Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity between the two countries.

Both New Delhi and Beijing re-emphasised commitment to an early settlement of the boundary question. They decided to pursue it as a “strategic objective” with the conviction that this will advance the basic interests of both the countries.

The emphasis on early resolution and characterising the objective as strategic assumes significance in the backdrop of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.

As President Xi concluded his three-day maiden visit of India, where the boundary issue assumed greater significance in the wake of incursions by the Chinese army and civilians in Chumar and Demchok, the issue found mention in the joint statement released today.

“During the visit, the two sides exchanged views on the India-China boundary question and reiterated their commitment to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution, proceeding from the overall interests of bilateral relations. Recalling the Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the Boundary Question signed in April 2005, both sides reiterated their commitment to an early settlement of the boundary question and expressed their conviction that this will advance basic interests of the two countries and shall, therefore, be pursued as a strategic objective”, the statement said.

India and China reaffirmed the utility and significance of the mechanism of Special Representatives (SRs) for seeking a political settlement of the boundary question and of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on the India-China Border Affairs for handling border related matters. The mechanism was evolved during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure. As many as 17 rounds of meeting have been convened between the two designated SRs so far.

Pending a final resolution of the boundary question, the two sides would continue to make joint efforts to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.

On the military ties, both sides appear moving towards expanding cooperation noting that improved bilateral military relations are conducive to building mutual trust and confidence. While agreeing to hold the fourth joint army training `Handi-in-Hand’’ exercises, both sides said similar engagement with navy and air force would be held at a proper time.