India, China review situation on border
Beijing, Sep 27 : India and China on Thursday reviewed the situation along their disputed border as they discussed the issue at the 12th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs.
The Indian side led by Pranay Verma, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the External Affairs Ministry, told the Chinese side that peace and tranquility on the India-China border areas was an important prerequisite for the smooth development of their bilateral relations.
"They discussed ways to effectively manage border areas in accordance with the strategic guidance provided by the leaders of the two countries at the Wuhan Summit and explored various confidence-building measures with a view to further enhance mutual trust and understanding," the Indian Embassy in Beijing said in a late night statement.
The Chinese side was represented by Yi Xianliang, Director General, Department of Boundary and Oceanic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting was held at Sichuan in Chengdu, which falls in the People's Liberation Army's Western Theatre Command.
The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was set up in 2012 as an institutional mechanism for consultation and coordination for management of India-China border areas and to exchange views on strengthening communication and cooperation, including between their border security personnel.
The two sides agreed to hold the next meeting at a mutually convenient time.
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SP has ended contract with I-PAC due to fund constraints: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has severed its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds.
He dismissed speculations that the termination of contract was because of recent election results.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said the party had engaged I-PAC for a brief period ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but could not continue the arrangement.
"Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding," he said.
The I-PAC is a political consultancy firm known for managing major election campaigns across the country.
Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has also been associated with the organisation in the past and has worked with multiple parties, including the BJP and the Congress.
In a lighter vein, Yadav took a swipe at the ecosystem of political consultancies. "We thought that if we have to work with a 'winning agency', then there are several big companies."
He said that some people suggested conducting surveys, hiring another firm, keeping a social media company, and even engaging agencies for negative campaigning against other parties.
"There are one or two more companies whose names are not yet known. I can get those for you as well," Yadav said.
Yadav rejected the suggestion that the decision to end the deal was influenced by recent election outcomes in states such as West Bengal.
"There is no such thing. Do not ask questions based on baseless reports. That is not true," he said.
"This is not the reason for ending the agreement. We simply do not have enough funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
