With China frequently transgressing into India resulting in face-offs, both the countries began two-day talks on Tuesday to strengthen the mechanism to avoid such incidents and maintain peace and tranquility along the 4,000 km long line of Actual Control(lAC).
In Beijing, while the Chinese Foreign and Defence Ministries refrained from commenting on the incursions in Chumar sector in ladakh last week, Chinese run Xinhua news agency carrying a commentary accused the Indian media of putting out “sensational reports”, “harming” the bilateral relations.
“The disputes, a historical hangover, were not created in one day neither will they be resolved overnight. It is unwise to let isolated incidents along the border to negatively affect the promising China-India relationship,” it said.
In Delhi, the third meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Co-ordination on India-China Border Affairs commenced with Gautam Bambawale, joint secretary (East Asia) in the External Affairs Ministry leading the Indian delegation including representatives of the Defence and Home Ministries. Director General (Border) of China is heading a composite delegation.
“The meeting deals with all issues of peace and tranquility on the border...However, this meeting does not deal with border issues as those issues are handled by Special Representatives on both sides. Also the meeting does not discuss Border Defence Cooperation Agreement since there is a separate mechanism for that,” spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said here.
However, India will raise the issue of recent incursions in Chumar sector and the three-week long face-off between the two armies in Daulat Beg Oldie sector in ladakh in April, officials said.
The two sides will also discuss the proposal to set up a hotline between the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of India and his Chinese counterpart. This proposal was announced by Defence Minister AK Antony during his visit to Beijing earlier this month. The Working Group will also prepare the ground work for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s proposed visit to China in October.
Meanwhile, the Chinese State media said, “looking back on Indian media hype about Chinese border intrusions, one has to admit such sensational reports are indeed harmful to the China-India relationship.”
Xinhua said, “Such reports have only served to further sow misunderstandings between Indians and Chinese even at a time when their leaders are working hard to manage their differences and to build a constructive relationship that can benefit both sides.”