FROM EIR DAILY ALERT
India Maritime Talks with China, Russia May Take Place ‘Soon’
July 5, 2018 (EIRNS)—Citing an unnamed Indian official, Indian media reported today that Indian bilateral discussions on maritime issues with China and Russia are going to take place “soon.” Its first step, a bilateral India-China maritime dialogue, took place in 2016 and covered issues of mutual interest, including an exchange of perspectives on maritime security, developments in international regimes such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and prospects for maritime cooperation. The second maritime talk slated for 2017 did not take place due to the Doklam standoff at the time between the Indian and Chinese troops close to the China-Bhutan-India border.
The announcement of a second maritime affairs dialogue is in line with the Wuhan declaration that was released after the informal meeting last April between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sputnik reported.
Meanwhile, Asian News International reported, also citing unnamed sources, that details are being finalized for Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe to visit India. A Chinese delegation led by Lt. Gen Liu Xiaowu, Deputy Commander of the Western Theater Command, and comprising 10 senior military officials, is currently in India. Their visit to India’s military headquarters at Sukna, West Bengal, is being seen as a significant step towards increasing interactions at the military commanders’ level, and implementation of various agreements to maintain peace and tranquility at the borders, ANI wrote.
