India, China Sign Border Defense Agreement

Looking to lower tensions

The Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) inked between India and China on Wednesday facilitates establishment of a hotline between the military headquarters of the two countries, besidesborder personnel meeting sites in all sectors receiving broad directive not to tail each others' patrols along the disputed borders. 

The BDCA, the outcome of a series of talks following diplomatic tensions arising out of the Chinese troops pitching their tents atDepsang valley in Ladakh in April, says that the two sides may consider establishing a hotline between the military headquarters to facilitate communication at the highest level of the two militaries in times of crisis.