India, China operationalise new border coordination mechanism

BEIJING: India and China today operationalised the recent agreement on border coordination mechanism by framing mutually agreed rules to avert conflict at their disputed frontier.

The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, which was formed during the 15th round of border talks in New Delhi in January, has now been operationalised, an Indian official who attended the first meeting told PTI here.

The border mechanism was formed to avoid any untoward incidents between the troops on ground while patrolling the various points.

The two-day talks, which were concluded today, were held between an Indian delegation led Gautam Bambawale, Joint Secretary (East Asia) of the External Affairs Ministry and Deng Zhonghua, Director General, Department of Boundary and Oceanic Affairs of China.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of an alternate route for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and additional items for border trade at Nathu La Pass in Sikkim.

The seven-member Indian delegation included senior officials of the Home and Defence ministries as well members of the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

The Chinese delegation included representatives from Foreign Ministry and Ministry of National Defence.

India and China have held 15 rounds of talks by Special Representatives to resolve diffences over demarcation of the borders.

"The talks were held in a constructive and forward looking atmosphere with the common objective of continuing to maintain peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas," a statement issued by the Indian side.