India, China Confer On New Border Security Mechanism

New Delhi, Sept 30, IRNA -- Indian and Chinese officials held fourth round of talks and discussed various issues like finalizing a key border security mechanism on Sunday expected to be signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs proposed visit to Beijing next month. The two-day meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs is expected to discuss the proposed Border Defense Cooperation Agreement (BDCA), aimed at more comprehensively dealing with tensions related to patrolling by both sides along the Line of Actual Control. The talks came against the backdrop of several incursions by Chinese troops along the LAC. The mechanism headed by Foreign Ministry officials of both the countries was formed to address problems between the troops at the borders. It came in handy to defuse tensions arising of Chinese soldiers presence at Depsang valley in Ladakh region this year. The issue was subsequently resolved after the PLA troops withdrew from the area. The meeting was expected to discuss the BDCA stated to be more comprehensive in dealing with tensions arising out of patrolling by both sides along the LAC, the PTI reported quoting officials as said in Beijing. Ahead of the meeting, China praised the contribution of the mechanism saying it played a positive role in enhancing cooperation and understanding between the borders related departments and the timely treatment of sensitive issues and stabilization of border situation. On September 26, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei had said the mechanism could be leveraged to resolve the vexed boundary dispute. China is ready to work with India to leverage this working mechanism to truly uphold the long term peace and tranquility in border areas so as to create a sound atmosphere for the final settlement of the boundary question and the sound and stable development of bilateral relations, he had said. India-China have held 16 rounds of Special Representatives level talks to resolve the boundary dispute so far. The BDCA agreement was expected to be signed during Prime Minister Singhs visit to China in the fourth week of October./end