India, China evolving mechanisms to prevent border incidents

Defence Minister A.K. Antony (L) paying homage to martyrs on the 14th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas at India Gate, in New Delhi on Friday. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Even as Chinese troops reportedly made some incursions in Ladakh region over the past two weeks, Defence Minister A. K. Antony said on Friday that India and China were trying to evolve effective mechanisms to prevent ``embarrassing’’ incidents of such face-offs along the disputed points of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"Till the final settlement of the border issue, we are trying to find out more effective mechanisms to prevent occasional incidents. There are many points in the LAC that are disputed and they are patrolled by both sides. So, sometimes it leads to some face-off," Mr. Antony told reporters here on the 14th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

He was asked about the increasing number of incursions by the Chinese troops into the Indian territory along the LAC in Ladakh and Northeastern sectors. ``There are disputed points where both sides are going there which sometimes causes some embarrassing situations,’’ he said while trying to play down such incidents in the border areas.

Describing the recent three-week stand-off between India and Chinese troops in Depsang plains in Eastern Ladakh as an "unusual" incident, the Defence Minister said the two sides would meet again in Beijing soon to discuss issues and try to find a solution for such "unpleasant incidents." The Defence Minister had also embarked on his maiden visit to China in the first week of July.

After the Depsang incident in April, both India and China had "free and frank" talks, Mr. Antony said adding: "we are trying to have more border personnel meeting places and have more effective mechanisms to prevent such unpleasant incidents."

"On the one side, both sides are trying to find a long term solution to the long pending border dispute. Till that time, our aim is to maintain peace and tranquillity at the border," he said.

"We are going to have another round of meeting of the Joint Working Group in Beijing soon on this issue. So, I think we will be able to find out a solution to such unpleasant incidents on the border,’’ he said.

In one of the recent incidents of incursion, Chinese troops had entered Chumar area in Ladakh on July 16-17 on horses and ponies, staking their claim and demanding that Indian troops leave the area.