India-China to set up mechanism for more cooperation on security-related issues

BEIJING/NEW DELHI : India and China will set up a ministerial-level mechanism   to step up cooperation and coordination on security-related issues.

Understanding to this effect was reached at a meeting between Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Interior Minister Guo Shengkun in the Chinese capital yesterday.

Following the talks, the two countries have agreed to form a Ministerial-level mechanism headed by Home Ministers that would evolve greater cooperation and coordination on a host of issues, including cross-border terrorism, security and law enforcement, trans-border crimes, cyber crimes and drug trafficking.

The mechanism would be followed by a comprehensive memorandum of understanding on security-related issues and will become operational during Mr Guo’s visit to India next year.

Today, Mr Singh will visit a special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit and a local police station in Beijing.   He will also hold a meeting with Mr Meng Jianzhu, Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China.

The Home Minister will leave for Shanghai tomorrow where he will visit the city’s Command and Control Centre, hold meetings with security officials and address a meeting of the Indian Community. (UNI)