Xi, Modi agree to reduce border tensions

BEIJING, April 28 (AFP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended informal meetings in China Saturday with a promise to reduce border tensions after a high-altitude standoff in the Himalayas last year.

The leaders have spent two days in the central Chinese city of Wuhan for discussions on how to mend ties strained when troops from both sides came eyeball-to-eyeball in the disputed Doklam area.

The leaders “underscored the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility in all areas of the India- China border region,” Indian's foreign ministry said in a statement following the meeting.

“They issued strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communication in order to build trust and mutual understanding and enhance predictability and effectiveness in the management of border affairs,” it said, adding the two sides will “earnestly implement various confidence building measures.” New Delhi has also raised concerns about Beijing's Belt and Road initiative, a global trade infrastructure programme that includes a major project through Pakistanadministered Kashmir, disputed territory that New Delhi claims is illegally occupied.

The issue was not, however, mentioned in the Indian statement.

Instead, it emphasised that the two leaders had agreed to cooperate on a wide range of issues from economic development to counter-terrorism.

The leaders were scheduled to spend the morning strolling and boating around Wuhan's East Lake, before taking lunch.

They “exchanged views on bilateral relations, and international and regional issues of common concern Saturday morning in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere,” China's state news service Xinhua said.