India and China decided, in a significant joint statement issued Friday, that early settlement of the boundary question would be pursued as a “strategic objective”, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation to visit China “at an early date”. The two sides also decided to “strengthen political communication” and “deepen strategic trust”, while agreeing that “peace and tranquillity on the India-China border areas” is an “important guarantor for the development and continued growth of bilateral relations”. The India-China joint statement comes in the wake of regular Chinese transgressions and incursions into Indian territory, particularly in Ladakh, the latest being the incursions in Chumar and Demchok areas of Ladakh. Apart from agreeing to continue holding joint Army exercises, the two sides also agreed to hold joint Air Force and Navy exercises at “a proper time”. They also decided to hold the first round of a maritime cooperation dialogue within this year. The joint statement was issued at the culmination of President Xi’s three-day visit to India on Friday afternoon. Source: The Asian Age
