January 18th, 2012
India and China on Tuesday agreed to set up a working mechanism “for appropriately handling border incidents and timely communication of information on the border situation” following the conclusion of the 15th round of special representative (SR) talks here on the protracted boundary dispute.
The mechanism, proposed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao when he visited India in December 2010, was finalised by National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon and his Chinese counterpart state councillor Dai Bingguo.
The working mechanism, to be headed by a joint secretary-level officer from the ministry of external affairs and a director general-level official from the Chinese foreign ministry and comprising other diplomatic and military officials “will not discuss resolution of the boundary question or affect the special representative mechanism”.
Essentially, the working mechanism will help establish immediate contact between officials from both sides in the event of any transgression along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that could create tensions between the two countries.
The text of the agreement released by the MEA states that “the working mechanism will 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”.
According to the pact, the officials will hold consultations once or twice every year alternately in India and China. Emergency consultations, if required, may be convened after mutual agreement.
India says that transgressions along the 4,057-km-long LAC occur as the two countries have different perceptions of the LAC.
This is the second stage of boundary negotiations which involves creating a framework for delineating the border. The first stage concluded with an agreement on political parameters and guiding principles in 2005. The final stage involves the specifics of delineating the border.
Source: www.indiatoday.in
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