Modi, Xi to guide armies to avert another Doklam

Also a vital India-China project in Afghanistan was decided, which is bound to irk Pakistan

PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will provide "strategic guidance" to their armies to prevent another Doklam-like military standoff along their long-winding disputed border. During the two-day informal summit between Modi and Xi in the central Chinese city of Wuhan that ended on Saturday, India and China also decided to work on a joint economic project in Afghanistan, a move that could upset Beijing's "all-weather ally" and New Delhi's arch-rival Pakistan, which borders Afghanistan. In several meetings, terrorism, climate change and other international issues figured on which both leaders had similar views.

"PM Modi and President Xi reviewed developments in India-China relations from the strategic and long-term perspective," said India's Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale at a media briefing here. "They also agreed that both sides have the maturity and wisdom to handle the differences through peaceful discussion within the context of the overall relationship, bearing in mind the importance of respecting each other's sensitivities, concerns and aspirations." Gokhale said Modi and Xi were of the view that Special Representatives on border

talks from both countries will have to intensify their efforts to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement. India and China have a long-standing border issue. The two fought a brief but bloody war in 1962 and have a history of mutual distrust. In 2017, Indian and Chinese armies were locked in a 73-day stand-off at Doklam in the Sikkim sector along their border. The crisis was resolved in August.

Meanwhile, one of the major decisions at the meet was a joint India-China economic project in Afghanistan. Though sources did not give more details about the project, the move is certain to irk Pakistan which resents India's presence in the strife-torn South Asian nation.

Wuhan menu card designed with Indian touch for PM Modi Wuhan: Chinese President Xi Jinping has left no stone unturned to bid farewell to PM Modi during the last day of his two-day informal visit to China's central Wuhan city. The menu card, designed for the private lunch hosted by President Xi for Prime Minister Modi had colours of the Indian flag-saffron, white and green, along with the picture of national bird peacock. According to sources, President Xi had paid personal attention to small details. The private lunch was hosted by the Chinese President in honour of PM Modi in Wuhan before the latter departed for New Delhi.