'China, India may set up military hotline'

Beijing, Nov 1:

and

are considering to establish a hotline between headquarters of their armed forces according to a recently signed agreement, the Chinese

ministry has said.

The two armed forces will make joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in border areas following the signing of a Border Defence Cooperation Agreement during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's official visit to China last week, reported Xinhua citing the ministry's spokesman, Yang Yujun, during a press briefing Thursday.

Relevant military personnel and departments may hold regular meetings, Yang said, noting that the two sides agreed to continue to promote mutual trust on the over 4,000 km Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border.

The agreement summarised good practices and experiences on the management of differences in China-India border areas, Yang said, adding that the border areas have generally maintained peace and stability in recent years.

He stressed that the Chinese army is willing to work with India to constantly promote mutual trust, enhance cooperation and maintain peace and stability of the border areas so as to benefit relations between the two countries.

IANS