India and China agree on border defence

India and China have signed an agreement on border defence co-operation after tensions between their armies in disputed territory earlier this year.

The deal aims to improve communication between the two armies.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said it would help maintain border “peace, tranquillity and stability.”

The two countries disagree over the demarcation of several Himalayan border areas and fought a brief war in 1962. Tensions still flare up from time to time.

Both sides are keen to ensure that the spat does not derail a general warming in relations.

The agreement was signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Beijing.

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