India, China sign first-ever agreement on security cooperation

India and China signed a first-ever agreement on security cooperation which will strengthen and consolidate assistance in counter-terrorism, organised crimes, drug control, human trafficking and exchange of information, marking a new beginning between the two countries.

The agreement was signed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and China's State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi. The move came a year after a border stand-off between the Indian Army and the China's People's Liberation Army at Doklam on the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction.

The name of Arunachal Pradesh MP and Union minister Kiren Rijiju, who also attended the meeting, did not figure for talks with the Chinese delegation initially, according to a report.  

Later, a message was sent to him to reach North Block which houses the Home Ministry and where the delegation-level talks was supposed to be held in minutes, an official in the Ministry of Home Affairs privy to the development told news agency PTI.  

Rijiju's participation is considered as a significant development as the minister hails from Arunachal Pradesh, which China considers as a "disputed" territory. China routinely protest visits of Indian leaders to Arunachal Pradesh. India considers Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of the country.

During the visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh in April 2017, China warned it would take "necessary measures" to defend its territorial sovereignty and interests, saying India "obstinately" allowed the Tibetan spiritual leader to visit the "disputed" parts of the Northeastern state, causing "serious damage" to the bilateral ties.    

(With agency inputs)