India, China talk CBMs, put behind Doklam episode

India and China agreed on Friday that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas, and exchanged ideas on various confidence building measures (CBMs) in this regard as the two sides tried to put behind them the Doklam episode, reports PTI.

After a meeting between the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China on the Boundary Question – Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India and Yang Jiechi, State Councillor – the external affairs ministry said the talks were “positive”.

During Friday’s border talks, the first since the 73daylong military standoff in Doklam, the two sides underlined the need to build on their convergences while seeking mutually acceptable resolutions of their differences with due respect for each other’s concerns, sensitivities and aspirations.

While the MEA statement did not say whether the Doklam issue was discussed, in Beijing, a spokesperson in Chinese foreign ministry skirted a question on whether it figured during the talks and instead said, “This mechanism is not only a high-level channel for dialogue on border issues between the two sides but also important platform for strategic communication between China and India.”

The Doklam standoff began on June 16 after the Indian troops intervened and stopped the Chinese army from building a road in the area claimed by Bhutan as it posed a security risk to Chicken Neck, the narrow corridor connecting India with its north-eastern states. The two armies “disengaged” on August 28. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated that strong India-China relations were important to the entire world.

In a meeting with Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi here on Friday, PM Modi said, “A strong India-China relationship is important not only for the mutual benefit of the people of India and China, but also for the region and the world.”

Bilateral ties key for world: Modi