Indian, Chinese armies discuss implementation of border pacts

New Delhi: Against the backdrop of incidents of incursions by Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), armies of India and China today discussed the implementation of border pacts to maintain peace and tranquility along the international boundary. The Chinese delegation was led by People’s Liberation Army’s Deputy Chief of General Staff (Operations) Lt Gen Qi Jianguo, while the Indian side was led by Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen PR Kumar and Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag.[caption id=“attachment_1491861” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Deputy Chief of General Staff (Operations), PLA China, Lieutenant General Qi Jianguo meeting the Chief of Army Staff, General Bikram Singh, in New Delhi on 22 April 2014. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] “The two sides exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest such as maintenance of peace and tranquility along the LAC and enhancing mutual cooperation and understanding between the armies. Measures for implementation of existing bilateral agreements were also discussed,” an Army release said in New Delhi. The talks between the two DGMO-level officials come after the two sides signed the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement in October last year to avoid any flare-up between the troops. The two sides agreed on holding the fourth round of joint exercise in November this year in India. The Chinese side also confirmed the visit of its Defence Minister Gen Chang Wanquan to India later this year. Army officials said the talks were held in a “warm and cordial atmosphere and both sides agreed on the need to enhance bilateral engagements”. After the talks, the PLA delegation also called on the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh and the defence secretary. In the last few years, the incidents of incursion by the Chinese troops have increased and several face-offs between the troops of the two countries have taken place including the Depsang valley incident last year where Chinese troops left the Indian territory after almost three weeks. PTI