India is evolving a joint mechanism with China in the next few months to resolve border issues. The mechanism will also explore areas of cooperation in border areas like border trade and movement. Talking to newsmen in New Delhi on Tuesday Defence Minister, Mr. A. K. Antony said that the proposed mechanism will comprise of all stakeholders including the military and paramilitary elements and will be coordinated by the External Affairs Ministry. The army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police would be the part of this mechanism.

Asked about China strengthening its military set-up along the border, Mr. Antony said, India has started modernising it own capabilities by taking steps such as raising new Army divisions and Advanced Landing Grounds for aircraft operations. Pointing out that the overall situation along the border was peaceful, he said that incursions were taking place on both sides due to differences in perception of boundary due to lack of proper demarcation.

In reply to a query on objections raised by China over India's plans to explore oil and minerals in South China sea, the defence minister said, as a policy, India believes in access for trade through all the seas. He maintained that he was not worried about South China but country's own backyard and islands.