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BILATERAL RELATIONS

recent development in the field of The AYUSH Ministry, which tranquility in the border areas. In this
traditional medicine in their country. highlighted the issues of registration regard, the Special Representatives
It was informed that Traditional and of AYUSH practitioners and products exchanged ideas on various
Complementary Medicine (T&CM) in Malaysia, was informed that there confidence building measures.
Council has been constituted to exists robust system of regulation in The talks were “positive” and
overlook various activities related to the country for AYUSH product, focused on bringing out the “full
T&CM Systems of Medicine. They practices and providers in India which potential” of the Closer Developmental
evinced keen desire for capacity could be shared with the Malaysian Partnership between the two countries.
Besides the boundary question, the
building programmes for their experts side for reference purpose. Ministry
two Special Representatives also
in India to understand analytical intends to enhance cooperation for
reviewed the development of India-
parameters with regard to Indian designing and developing the policies
China bilateral relations.
medicine and for Panchkarma courses and strategies in the field of Traditional
They agreed to maintain regular
being conducted in India. Medicine in Malaysia.
contact and to advance the
development of bilateral relations in
INDIA-CHINA all areas. They underlined the need for
India, China hold 20th round of border the two countries to build on their
convergences, while seeking mutually
talks acceptable resolutions of their
differences with due respect for each
Striking a positive note in tune with countries will meet periodically to other’s sensitivities, concerns and
the Astana consensus, India and resolve issues that may affect aspirations. They acknowledged that
China agreed on 22 December 2017 to maintenance of peace along the border. as two large developing countries
maintain “regular contact” and “build The two sides will also hold sectoral engaged in their national
on their convergences”, while seeking commander meetings at various modernisation, relations between India
mutually acceptable resolution of their border points. These flow from the and China transcend their bilateral
differences with “due respect for each working mechanism in October 2013 dimensions and have significance for
other’s sensitivities, concerns and to ensure peace and tranquility along peace, stability and development of
aspirations”. This is also in line with the the border between the two countries. Asia and the world. Both sides also
understanding at the BRICS summit in The two sides took a “forward- exchanged views on regional and
Xiamen, where both sides agreed to put looking approach”, and discussions global issues of mutual interest.
the Doklam border crisis behind them. were “very constructive on where the Tuting row resolved
This was the major takeaway from relationship should be going and will India and China held a Border
the meeting between National be going”. Personnel Meeting (BPM) to resolve
Security Advisor AjitDoval and After the 20th round of talks the incident of road building by
Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi, between the Special Representatives Chinese civilians at Tuting in Arunachal
Special Representatives on the — less than two weeks after Chinese Pradesh. “The Tuting issue has been
boundary question. This is the first Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India resolved. A border meeting was held two
time that a Special Representative from for the Russia-India-China trilateral days back,” the Chief of the Army Staff,
the Chinese side is also a member of meeting — the Ministry of External Gen. Bipin Rawat, said on January 8, 2018.
the powerful politburo of the Affairs (MEA) said the Special In December last week, a group of
Communist Party of China. Representatives undertook a Chinese civilians were noticed
The two sides are learnt to have comprehensive review of earlier undertaking track alignment activity
discussed several confidence- rounds of talks and agreed that an about one kilometre inside the Line of
building measures, including some at “early settlement of the boundary Actual Control (LAC) in Tuting. On
the field-level, and some at higher question serves the fundamental December 28, a joint team of the Army
levels. They agreed that efforts should interests of both countries”. and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police
be made to ensure that “defence and They re-emphasised their (ITBP) stopped them and sent them
security (personnel) must maintain commitment to achieve a “fair, back during which some civil
strong contacts and cooperation” at reasonable and mutually acceptable construction equipment, including
the borders to “ensure that sort of solution to the India-China boundary two excavators, were left behind.
situation which happened recently question at an early date”. “The two There are five BPM points along the
should not recur”. sides agreed that pending the final LAC — Bum La and Kibithu in Arunachal
Officials from the foreign resolution of the boundary question, Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul
ministries and militaries of both it is necessary to maintain peace and in Ladakh and Nathu La in Sikkim.

42 Competition Wizard March 2018