China terms two-day border talks with India 'constructive and fruitful'

BEIJING: China on Saturday described negotiations between state councilor Yang Jeichi and national security advisor Shiv Shankar Menon as "constructive and fruitful" at the end of the two-day 16th round of border talks between the two countries.

A Chinese foreign ministry statement said the two countries agreed to "give full play to the (existing) mechanisms on border-related issues and maintain peace and tranquility in border areas before issues are resolved''.

An Indian embassy statement said the officials discussed peace and tranquility in the border areas including possible additional confidence building measures, besides means of strengthening existing mechanisms for consultation and coordination on border affairs and methodology to enhance communications.

The talks were held in the backdrop of recent Chinese incursion in Ladakh.

The two sides did not comment on any breakthrough on the proposed border defence cooperation agreement, which is being negotiated. The agreement draft, originally proposed by China, will be further discussed during the defense minister AK Anthony's visit to China on July 4.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is due to make his first foreign visit to China on the same day.

Observers said China might hold discussions with Islamabad about the draft before taking a final view on it.