China, India discuss PLA incursions, CBMs during border talks

China and India today concluded their working mechanism border talks during which they discussed recent incursions by Chinese troops in the western sector, implementation of the boundary pact and additional confidence building measures.

The two sides also explored an alternate route for the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra during the 6th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, the Indian Embassy said.

India is seeking an alternate route to the most sought after pilgrimage to one of the remote parts of Tibet as pilgrims faced lot of hardships in the present route offered by China, officials said.

The Indian delegation headed by Gautam Bambawale, Joint Secretary East Asia, External Affairs Ministry, held three-day talks with the Chinese side led by Ouyang Yujing, Director General, Department of Boundary and Oceanic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The talks reviewed recent developments particularly in the Western Sector of the boundary, implementation of the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) and additional confidence building measures," the statement said.

"The talks were held in a cordial, constructive and forward looking manner at a time when the season is changing in the high altitude areas along the India-China border," it said.
It was around this time last year, the two sides faced a tense standoff when a group of Chinese soldiers pitched their tents in the Depsang Valley in Ladakh on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The faceoff which lasted for nearly a fortnight was finally resolved after the Chinese troops withdrew from the area after several rounds of talks.

The working mechanism, which was formed in 2012 came in handy to resolve the crisis. Both sides agreed that maintenance of peace and tranquility on the border was an important guarantor for the further development of bilateral relations.

In addition to the BDCA that was signed last year outlining detailed standard operating procedures when patrols of the two armies faced each other in the disputed areas, China has proposed a code of conduct to be followed by the troops on both sides during such standoffs which figured in the current round of talks, an official said.