India and China held two crucial meetings on the border issue here on Monday. Middle-level officials met in the morning and discussed how to resolve operational issues, especially the one wherein troops come face-to-face in areas claimed by both countries.
The fifth meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs reviewed recent developments, especially in the Western Sector (the Ladakh region). Implementation of the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement, additional confidence-building measures and further steps for maintaining peace and tranquillity were also discussed, said a release from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The 17th round of talks between the Special Representatives started in the evening.
Unlike the Working Mechanism, aimed at resolving day-to-day patrolling issues, the Special Representatives talks, pitched on a higher level, are meant to settle the entire boundary issue through consultations.
The Indian delegation is led by National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and the Chinese team by State Councillor Yang Jiechi at the two-day meeting.
