India and China review border stand-off

India and China today reviewed the fallout of the recent stand-off in Depsang Valley in Ladakh with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid seeking to make existing mechanisms more effective to respond with "greater urgency" in dealing with border violations.

The three-week stand-off figured prominently in talks between Khurshid and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi with both expressing satisfaction on its resolution while skirting a detailed discussion on why the Chinese troops intruded 19 kms into Indian territory in Daulat Beig Oldi (DBO) sector.

"We also discussed recent episode on the border on the Line of Actual Control. I think it is very refreshing to get from them (Chinese) very positive and meaningful response," Khurshid, whose visit was under a cloud earlier because of the border row, told the Indian media here after his two hour-long talks.

He said there was "Appreciation of the manner in which India responded and persuaded and moved in a manner the solution was found".

"Ultimately the mechanism did deliver. And also to be able to get data from this experience of what more can be done to make the mechanisms more effective and to be able to respond with greater urgency than what we are able to this time in 20 days", he said.

Khurshid said there is "tremendous amount of satisfaction that it was resolved in a manner that it was resolved. We discussed the ground reality. The incidents of the past did not receive the same attention due to continuous media attention.

"That needs to be factored in one. There will be intense critical media. It is important information flows are carefully arranged so that there is no scope for any misunderstanding at any stage".

The Minister added, "Frankly, it is extremely balanced, satisfying, friendly meeting we had today during which the two sides finalised the visit of Premier Li Keqiang's visit to India expected to take place from May 19-21", he said.

According to earlier plans Li was due to visit Mumbai and New Delhi in the third week of this month after which he planned to visit Pakistan and Germany. There is no official announcement here yet on these visits.

It will be Li's first visit abroad as the Premier and the new Chinese leadership wants it to signify the importance it attaches to the bilateral relations with India.
However, it was overshadowed by the Chinese troops incursion into the Daulat Beig Oldi (DBO) in Ladakh. It cast a shadow over Khurshid's visit until it was resolved three days ago.

About the DBO incident, Hua said, "we all know under the joint efforts of the two sides, competent authorities of the two countries have reached consensus on the incident occurred in the western section of the boundary and properly handled it."
China always believes that its relations with India are important as both are developing countries and emerging economies.

"The sound and steady development of bilateral relationship serves the common interests of both the countries and people and also contribute to Asian and World peace and prosperity," she said.

"Under the joint efforts of the two sides the two countries relations have made continuous progress with increasing political mutual trust and productive cooperation across the board as well as good cooperation and coordination in international and regional affairs," she said, adding China hopes that Khurshid’s will push forward bilateral relations.

Khurshid is also expected to call on State Councillor and former Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi. Yang has succeeded the long standing Chinese top diplomat Dai Bingguo who recently retired. He, however, has not yet been designated as Special Representative for India-China border talks, a position Dai held, even though speculation is rife that he would be formally named for the job.

Besides his meeting with Chinese leaders, Khurshid would also attend a reception at the Indian Embassy here and meet various Indologists and Chinese cultural personalities.