India and China on Wednesday firmed up a Border Defence Cooperation Agreement which,while laying out a protocol to prevent incidents like this summers Depsang face-off,puts no restrictions on India developing border infrastructure or enhancing military capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). S Jaishankar,Indias ambassador to China,said the agreement upholds the principle,agreed upon earlier,of mutual and equal security,which recognizes the asymmetrical deployments on the border. This principle allows both countries to take appropriate measures according to their own security needs. So,the short answer is no, Jaishankar said in response to a question on whether the border pact would impact on Indias plans along the LAC. The agreement in an incremental improvement on existing protocols of 1993,1996 and 2006 with some overlapping areas. Certain specific suggestions on improving communications,such as considering a hotline between the two military headquarters,are new. Broadly,the agreement stands on four concepts: Prevent a military clash or conflict: This is dealt with in a first-time provision that neither side would follow or tail the other sides patrol in areas where there is no common understanding of the LAC. In case of a doubtful situation,the agreement provides for a right to seek clarification through established mechanisms,and in a faceoff situation like Depsang,both sides are required to exercise maximum self-restraint,refrain from provocative actions and not use force or threaten the use of force. The agreement underlines that forces from both sides will extend courtesy,and prevent exchange of fire. Strengthening communication: This is laid out in five graduated steps,beginning with more flag meetings between border personnel; periodic meetings between officers of the relevant Army commands on the Indian side with the heads of Chinas two military regions Chengdu and Lanzhou that deal with the India border; periodic meetings between defence ministry officials on the two sides; meetings of the working mechanism on border affairs headed by the joint secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs on the Indian side; and the Annual Defence Dialogue at the level of defence secretary. Also,the agreement seeks to consider establishing a new channel by way of a hotline between military headquarters of both countries. Dealing with border-related activities: This is the first time that a border agreement has specific provisions on jointly combating smuggling of arms and wildlife articles,location of personnel,livestock,means of transport and aerial vehicles which may have crossed over,as well as exchange of information on military exercises,demolition operations and unmarked mines. Familiarisation among troops: This entails greater contact among troops from the two sides on the border by way of joint celebration of major national days or festivals,organizing cultural activities,non-contact sports and small-scale tactical exercises. On a higher level,both armies are encouraged to conduct exercises in each others country. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang disclosed that one such exercise is being planned in South West China. The LAC has been among the most peaceful undefined borders in the world. The last time a death occurred on it was in 1975,which too was an accident. There have been faceoffs due to varying perceptions of the LAC on both sides,but they have not escalated due to the existing protocols. BONHOMIE METER The agreements signed between the two countries on Wednesday. * Agreement on Border Defence Cooperation * MoU to strengthen cooperation on trans-border rivers * MoU on Cooperation in Road Transport and Highways * MoU on Power Equipment Service Centres in India * Cooperation pact on Nalanda,part of East Asia Summit process * Pacts between Delhi-Beijing,Bengaluru-Chengdu,Kolkata-Kunming on establishment of sister city relationship * Cultural Exchange Programme 2013-15
