A huge crowd of demonstrators gathered near the Maharashtra-Karnataka border on Monday, after the Union Home Minister Amit Shah agreed to talk to the Chief Ministers of both states. Shah made an announcement last week that he will take up the issue with the CM of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde and the CM of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai.

Shah told after the meeting, "Both sides have agreed that the dispute cannot be resolved on the road, but only through constitutional means". The border dispute between the two states has been going on for decades now in the Supreme Court, with no agreeable solution between the states.&nbsp;

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As the winter session of both state legislatures began on Monday, a massive demonstration was held near the Kongoli Toll Plaza near the Karnataka-Maharashtra border, according to news agency ANI. Members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) and Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) were among those who took part in the protest.

As hundreds of MES workers and leaders congregated to protest against the Karnataka government, chaotic scenes were witnessed at Belagavi's Tilakawadi road. Police have imposed CrPc Section 144, which prohibits gathering of four or more people in the area concerned.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-lac-skirmishes-increase-india-to-build-a-1700-km-highway-in-arunachal-pradesh-544428">As LAC skirmishes increase, India to build a 1,700-km highway in Arunachal Pradesh</a>

Protests were also held in the Maharashtra assembly on Monday, with slogans criticising the governments of both states. Last week, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the proposal would be introduced in the state assembly during the current session.

Earlier, top leaders of the Maha Vikas Agadi (MKV) hit the streets in Maharashtra against the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government highlighting various issues, including the border dispute between the two states.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute?</h2>

Due to the large Marathi-speaking population, Maharashtra claims the Belagavi region and nearby areas in north Karnataka as part of the state.&nbsp;Belagavi which is now a district in Karnataka was part of the Bombay presidency in British India. Bombay&nbsp;presidency consists the present-day&nbsp;Gujarat, Maharashtra and certain areas of Karnataka.&nbsp;

The decades-old dispute resurfaced after Karnataka Chief Minister claimed recently that some villages in Maharashtra's Sangli district had passed a resolution to join the southern state due to a lack of basic facilities.

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A huge crowd of demonstrators gathered near the Maharashtra-Karnataka border on Monday, after the Union Home Minister Amit Shah agreed to talk to the Chief Ministers of both states.

A huge crowd of demonstrators gathered near the Maharashtra-Karnataka border on Monday, after the Union Home Minister Amit Shah agreed to talk to the Chief Ministers of both states. Shah made an announcement last week that he will take up the issue with the CM of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde and the CM of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai. Shah told after the meeting, "Both sides have agreed that the dispute cannot be resolved on the road, but only through constitutional means". The border dispute between the two states has been going on for decades now in the Supreme Court, with no agreeable solution between the states. Belagavi, Karnataka | Members of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti and NCP stage protest near Kognoli Toll Plaza near Karnataka-Maharashtra border over inter-state border issue pic.twitter.com/XaPJwEbBKv — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2022 × As the winter session of both state legislatures began on Monday, a massive demonstration was held near the Kongoli Toll Plaza near the Karnataka-Maharashtra border, according to news agency ANI. Members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) and Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) were among those who took part in the protest. As hundreds of MES workers and leaders congregated to protest against the Karnataka government, chaotic scenes were witnessed at Belagavi's Tilakawadi road. Police have imposed CrPc Section 144, which prohibits gathering of four or more people in the area concerned. Also Read | As LAC skirmishes increase, India to build a 1,700-km highway in Arunachal Pradesh Protests were also held in the Maharashtra assembly on Monday, with slogans criticising the governments of both states. Last week, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the proposal would be introduced in the state assembly during the current session. Earlier, top leaders of the Maha Vikas Agadi (MKV) hit the streets in Maharashtra against the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government highlighting various issues, including the border dispute between the two states. What is the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute? Due to the large Marathi-speaking population, Maharashtra claims the Belagavi region and nearby areas in north Karnataka as part of the state. Belagavi which is now a district in Karnataka was part of the Bombay presidency in British India. Bombay presidency consists the present-day Gujarat, Maharashtra and certain areas of Karnataka. The decades-old dispute resurfaced after Karnataka Chief Minister claimed recently that some villages in Maharashtra's Sangli district had passed a resolution to join the southern state due to a lack of basic facilities. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Massive protests at Maharashtra-Karnataka border over dispute, section 144 imposed

<a name="_Hlk106176137">Denmark and Canada </a>have decided to formally end their “light-hearted” dispute that spanned over 50 years over an uninhabited Arctic island.

Dubbed as “Whiskey wars”, the NATO allies had been squabbling over Hans Island, situated at an equal distance between Greenland and Canada's Ellesmere Island, since 1971, when the dispute first emerged at a bilateral meeting to discuss territorial boundaries.

The conflict earned the moniker “Whisky War” due to military ships visiting the island and planting flags and bottles of Canadian whiskey or Danish schnapps to mark their territory.

Under the new agreement, both countries will hold a joint possession of the 1.2-square-kilometre mound of rock. The new border will divide the island roughly in half, following a natural ravine from north to south.

“We’re setting a precedent. We’re showing to other countries how territorial disputes can be solved,” Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said after a signing ceremony in Ottawa.

“It is possible to settle a disagreement, and it’s always the best way to do it through principles and norms that both parties recognise.”

“I think it was the friendliest of all wars,” Joly said, joking that she hopes Canada will now be able to participate in the Eurovision song contest due to its land border with Europe.

Joly and her Danish counterpart Minister Jeppe Kofod exchanged bottles of liquor at the ceremony marking the tradition, Politico reported.

The agreement will preserve freedom of movement on the island for Inuit Arctic people, for hunting, fishing and other activities.

The deal will be signed once both countries grant parliamentary approval and will see the island split along a naturally occurring cleft on the rocky outcrop, according to a deal published by the Danish foreign ministry on Tuesday.

Once signed off, Canada and Denmark will have established the world's longest maritime border at 3,882km.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Denmark and Canada have decided to formally end their “light-hearted” dispute that spanned over 50 years over an uninhabited Arctic island. Dubbed as “Whiskey wars”, the NATO allies had been squabbling over Hans Island, situated at an equal distance between Greenland and Canada's Ellesmere Island, since 1971, when the dispute first emerged at a bilateral meeting to discuss territorial boundaries.

Denmark and Canada have decided to formally end their “light-hearted” dispute that spanned over 50 years over an uninhabited Arctic island. Dubbed as “Whiskey wars”, the NATO allies had been squabbling over Hans Island, situated at an equal distance between Greenland and Canada's Ellesmere Island, since 1971, when the dispute first emerged at a bilateral meeting to discuss territorial boundaries. The conflict earned the moniker “Whisky War” due to military ships visiting the island and planting flags and bottles of Canadian whiskey or Danish schnapps to mark their territory. Under the new agreement, both countries will hold a joint possession of the 1.2-square-kilometre mound of rock. The new border will divide the island roughly in half, following a natural ravine from north to south. “We’re setting a precedent. We’re showing to other countries how territorial disputes can be solved,” Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said after a signing ceremony in Ottawa. “It is possible to settle a disagreement, and it’s always the best way to do it through principles and norms that both parties recognise.” “I think it was the friendliest of all wars,” Joly said, joking that she hopes Canada will now be able to participate in the Eurovision song contest due to its land border with Europe. Joly and her Danish counterpart Minister Jeppe Kofod exchanged bottles of liquor at the ceremony marking the tradition, Politico reported. The agreement will preserve freedom of movement on the island for Inuit Arctic people, for hunting, fishing and other activities. The deal will be signed once both countries grant parliamentary approval and will see the island split along a naturally occurring cleft on the rocky outcrop, according to a deal published by the Danish foreign ministry on Tuesday. Once signed off, Canada and Denmark will have established the world's longest maritime border at 3,882km. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'Whiskey wars': Denmark, Canada end 50-year border dispute over Arctic island

Nepal reignites tensions with its neighboring nation India over tri-junction territory near the Indian border. Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba claims Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh & Kalapani regions and says the country is ready to defend its territories

India-Nepal border dispute: Nepal PM Deuba claims Tri-Junction part of Nepal

The border tensions between India and Nepal seems to refuse to die&nbsp;down, as a new report has claimed that the statistics bureau from Kathmandu took an “informal survey” in the border towns of India’s northern Pithoragarh district.

Nepal’s Central Bureau of Statistics claimed that it took out a survey in Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani—the territories claimed by Kathmandu, to estimate the number of people living in the areas.

Since it was impossible to conduct the census physically, the census officials took the help of migrant labourers who travel to India, security agencies deployed at the border and Nepalese nationals who have relatives in India, reported Nepali newspaper The Kathmandu Post.

The last census conducted by Nepal in the Kalapani area was way back in 1961.

The border tensions between India and Nepal erupted in May 2020 after Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a 74-km motorable link road that connects India (Pithoragarh) to Lipulekh pass (China border) significantly reducing the travel time for pilgrims of Kailash Mansarovar.

Nepal claims the territory&nbsp;at the Lipulekh pass around 400 sq km area east of Kali river in the tri-junction of Nepal, Tibet and India, through which the road passes.

Nepal said the “unilateral decision” to build a road there is a breach of the 2014 agreement.

The 2014 agreement was inked between Prime Ministers of both countries to work out the outstanding boundary issues on Kalapani (where Lipulekh lies) and Susta (bordering India’s Bihar state).

Currently, India and Nepal have border disputes over Kalapani - Limpiyadhura - Lipulekh trijunction between India-Nepal and China and Susta area (West Champaran district, Bihar).

(With inputs from agencies)

The border tensions between India and Nepal seems to refuse to die down, as a new report has claimed that the statistics bureau from Kathmandu took an “informal survey” in the border towns of India’s northern Pithoragarh district.

The border tensions between India and Nepal seems to refuse to die down, as a new report has claimed that the statistics bureau from Kathmandu took an “informal survey” in the border towns of India’s northern Pithoragarh district. Nepal’s Central Bureau of Statistics claimed that it took out a survey in Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani—the territories claimed by Kathmandu, to estimate the number of people living in the areas. Since it was impossible to conduct the census physically, the census officials took the help of migrant labourers who travel to India, security agencies deployed at the border and Nepalese nationals who have relatives in India, reported Nepali newspaper The Kathmandu Post. The last census conducted by Nepal in the Kalapani area was way back in 1961. The border tensions between India and Nepal erupted in May 2020 after Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a 74-km motorable link road that connects India (Pithoragarh) to Lipulekh pass (China border) significantly reducing the travel time for pilgrims of Kailash Mansarovar. Nepal claims the territory at the Lipulekh pass around 400 sq km area east of Kali river in the tri-junction of Nepal, Tibet and India, through which the road passes. Nepal said the “unilateral decision” to build a road there is a breach of the 2014 agreement. The 2014 agreement was inked between Prime Ministers of both countries to work out the outstanding boundary issues on Kalapani (where Lipulekh lies) and Susta (bordering India’s Bihar state). Currently, India and Nepal have border disputes over Kalapani - Limpiyadhura - Lipulekh trijunction between India-Nepal and China and Susta area (West Champaran district, Bihar). (With inputs from agencies)

Nepal conducts ‘census’ in disputed territories with India: Report

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement to extend the road in the Lipulekh region has provoked outrage in Nepal with many top leaders calling the ongoing construction ‘illegal’.&nbsp;

During an election rally in the Haldwani area of Uttarakhand on December 30, Modi had announced that his government has extended a road to Lipulekh and further expansion work is going on.

Lipulekh, which lies at the tri-junction between India’s northern Uttarakhand state, China and Nepal, is claimed by Kathmandu.

Former prime minister and the senior leader of the CPN-Unified Socialist, Jhala Nath Khanal—one of the ruling alliances in the Nepal government—condemned the construction activity.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The Indian government knows very well that the area of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura are the sovereign territory of Nepal. Any development activity conducted there without consultation of the Nepalese government is totally illegal and it is a violation of our territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” he said in a statement.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;requested the government to take necessary measures to “protect the territory”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-nepal-pm-oli-says-will-take-back-kalapani-limpiyadhura-and-lipulekh-territories-from-india-432435">Former Nepal PM Oli says ‘will take back’ Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh territories from India</a>

“Our party strongly condemns the ongoing road contraction by violating our security integrity and provocative statements on the part of the Indian leaders. We would like to request the government of Nepal to take necessary measures to protect our territory on the border,” the statement read.&nbsp;

Similarly, the main opposition, Nepal Communist Party-UML, also issued a similar statement, calling for “ending such activities that violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-respect of Nepal”.&nbsp;

The chief of the party’s foreign affairs wing, Rajan Bhattarai, urged the government to immediately engage in serious dialogue with India on the issue.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-issues-new-controversial-map-showing-indian-territory-as-its-own-299907">Nepal issues new, controversial map showing Indian territory as its own</a>

“CPN-UML unwaveringly believes that construction of roads and other structures should be stopped, the issue should be promptly resolved through dialogue and no structure should be built at the state level until resolution is reached through dialogue,” he said in the statement.

Bhattarai also raised concerns over the government’s silence on such serious issues that are related to the country’s territorial integrity.

The boundary dispute between the two nations erupted after India unveiled its new political map in November 2019.

Nepal protested after the Indian map showed Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of its own territory.

Though both sides have vowed to settle the boundary dispute through diplomatic and political talks and channels, no concrete bilateral negotiations have taken place yet.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement to extend the road in the Lipulekh region has provoked outrage in Nepal with many top leaders calling the ongoing construction ‘illegal’.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement to extend the road in the Lipulekh region has provoked outrage in Nepal with many top leaders calling the ongoing construction ‘illegal’. During an election rally in the Haldwani area of Uttarakhand on December 30, Modi had announced that his government has extended a road to Lipulekh and further expansion work is going on. Lipulekh, which lies at the tri-junction between India’s northern Uttarakhand state, China and Nepal, is claimed by Kathmandu. Former prime minister and the senior leader of the CPN-Unified Socialist, Jhala Nath Khanal—one of the ruling alliances in the Nepal government—condemned the construction activity. “The Indian government knows very well that the area of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura are the sovereign territory of Nepal. Any development activity conducted there without consultation of the Nepalese government is totally illegal and it is a violation of our territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” he said in a statement. He requested the government to take necessary measures to “protect the territory”. Also read | Former Nepal PM Oli says ‘will take back’ Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh territories from India “Our party strongly condemns the ongoing road contraction by violating our security integrity and provocative statements on the part of the Indian leaders. We would like to request the government of Nepal to take necessary measures to protect our territory on the border,” the statement read. Similarly, the main opposition, Nepal Communist Party-UML, also issued a similar statement, calling for “ending such activities that violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-respect of Nepal”. The chief of the party’s foreign affairs wing, Rajan Bhattarai, urged the government to immediately engage in serious dialogue with India on the issue. Also read | Nepal issues new, controversial map showing Indian territory as its own “CPN-UML unwaveringly believes that construction of roads and other structures should be stopped, the issue should be promptly resolved through dialogue and no structure should be built at the state level until resolution is reached through dialogue,” he said in the statement. Bhattarai also raised concerns over the government’s silence on such serious issues that are related to the country’s territorial integrity. The boundary dispute between the two nations erupted after India unveiled its new political map in November 2019. Nepal protested after the Indian map showed Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of its own territory. Though both sides have vowed to settle the boundary dispute through diplomatic and political talks and channels, no concrete bilateral negotiations have taken place yet.

Indian PM's announcement to build road in Lipulekh provokes outrage in Nepal

China has put in place new modular container-based accommodations for its troops in several high-altitude forward areas on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in response to Indian deployment in the region, people familiar with the developments said on Monday.

The shelters were installed in locations near Tashigong, Manza, Hot Springs and Churup among others, in reflection of simmering tensions between the two sides in the region, they said.

The people cited above said China's People Liberation Army has been feeling the heat of the Indian response to its "misadventure" in the region last year and that the Chinese military has been forced to go for long deployments and boost infrastructure in the region.

They said the Indian response to the Chinese actions last year, particularly after the Galwan Valley clashes, surprised the neighbouring country and that it deployed troops in areas where it never used to earlier.

"Our strategy is hurting them. They are reacting to our response. We have forced PLA to go for forward deployment and boost infrastructure," said one of the people.

They said the new deployments are appearing to be affecting the morale of the Chinese troops as they were not used to operate in such difficult terrain.

The new container-based accommodations were built in addition to the additional military camps that the Chinese military had set up following the escalation in tension between the two sides last year.

The people said India is also ramping up construction of tunnels, bridges roads and other critical infrastructure in eastern Ladakh and other areas along the nearly 3,500-km LAC.

They said China is also significantly enhancing its airbases and air defence units near the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

The border row escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 last year.

Twenty Indian Army personnel laid down their lives in the clashes that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades.

In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clashes with the Indian Army though it is widely believed that the death toll was higher.

As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in Gogra area last month.

In February, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement.

Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

China has put in place new modular container-based accommodations for its troops in several high-altitude forward areas on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in response to Indian deployment in the region, people familiar with the developments said on Monday.

China has put in place new modular container-based accommodations for its troops in several high-altitude forward areas on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in response to Indian deployment in the region, people familiar with the developments said on Monday. The shelters were installed in locations near Tashigong, Manza, Hot Springs and Churup among others, in reflection of simmering tensions between the two sides in the region, they said. The people cited above said China's People Liberation Army has been feeling the heat of the Indian response to its "misadventure" in the region last year and that the Chinese military has been forced to go for long deployments and boost infrastructure in the region. They said the Indian response to the Chinese actions last year, particularly after the Galwan Valley clashes, surprised the neighbouring country and that it deployed troops in areas where it never used to earlier. "Our strategy is hurting them. They are reacting to our response. We have forced PLA to go for forward deployment and boost infrastructure," said one of the people. They said the new deployments are appearing to be affecting the morale of the Chinese troops as they were not used to operate in such difficult terrain. The new container-based accommodations were built in addition to the additional military camps that the Chinese military had set up following the escalation in tension between the two sides last year. The people said India is also ramping up construction of tunnels, bridges roads and other critical infrastructure in eastern Ladakh and other areas along the nearly 3,500-km LAC. They said China is also significantly enhancing its airbases and air defence units near the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry. The border row escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 last year. Twenty Indian Army personnel laid down their lives in the clashes that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades. In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clashes with the Indian Army though it is widely believed that the death toll was higher. As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in Gogra area last month. In February, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement. Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

China installs new shelters for troops near India's Ladakh border

Highly prized and super-soft cashmere Pashmina wool is one of the world's finest fabrics but the pashmina industry is facing a serious threat due to ongoing border dispute between nuclear neighbours India and China.

The highly coveted wool comes from the fine undercoat of a breed of a Himalayan goat. Pashmina goats are reared in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh.

It is called the 'roof of the world' and has been at the centre of heightened tensions between India and China for weeks.

The goats have been pushed away from the grazing land because of the military tensions and the timing couldn't have been worse.

This happens to be the breeding season for the pashmina goats, around 85 per cent of the newborns died this year.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-china-standoff-the-dragon-retreats-304659/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

That's tens of thousands of goats this would impact the production of the pashmina wool. One of the key pillars of the handicrafts industry in the region. Pashmina shawls are sold the world over.

At an altitude of over 16,400 feet, more than 1,000 families of nomadic herders roam the vast Changthang plateau in Ladakh.&nbsp;

Grazing some 300,000 pashmina goats, these herders have already been struggling due to the impact of climate change. The winters are now harsher and the summers drier.&nbsp;

Some have even migrated to towns in Ladakh to look for other means of livelihood.

Those who stayed back, now find themselves caught in military tensions between India and China.

Highly prized and super-soft cashmere Pashmina wool is one of the world's finest fabrics but the pashmina industry is facing a serious threat due to ongoing border dispute between nuclear neighbours India and China.

Highly prized and super-soft cashmere Pashmina wool is one of the world's finest fabrics but the pashmina industry is facing a serious threat due to ongoing border dispute between nuclear neighbours India and China. The highly coveted wool comes from the fine undercoat of a breed of a Himalayan goat. Pashmina goats are reared in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh. It is called the 'roof of the world' and has been at the centre of heightened tensions between India and China for weeks. The goats have been pushed away from the grazing land because of the military tensions and the timing couldn't have been worse. This happens to be the breeding season for the pashmina goats, around 85 per cent of the newborns died this year. That's tens of thousands of goats this would impact the production of the pashmina wool. One of the key pillars of the handicrafts industry in the region. Pashmina shawls are sold the world over. At an altitude of over 16,400 feet, more than 1,000 families of nomadic herders roam the vast Changthang plateau in Ladakh. Grazing some 300,000 pashmina goats, these herders have already been struggling due to the impact of climate change. The winters are now harsher and the summers drier. Some have even migrated to towns in Ladakh to look for other means of livelihood. Those who stayed back, now find themselves caught in military tensions between India and China.

Pashmina wool caught up in border dispute between India and China

While India and China are making sure the ongoing crisis is resolved via the dialogue, information war or Psychological operations (PSYOP) play an important role for Bejing.

While India and China are making sure the ongoing crisis is resolved via the dialogue, information war or Psychological operations (PSYOP) play an important role for Bejing. China's state-run media plays an important role in sending out feelers of what mandarins in Bejing feel--especially using Global Times. “PLA conducts manoeuvres in high-altitude NW China amid border tensions with India” screamed the headlines of a news article by Global Times or GT in short. The article went on to describe how the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) had “organized a large-scale manoeuvre operation featuring thousands of paratroopers and armoured vehicles from Central China's Hubei Province to the country's high-altitude northwestern region over a long distance amid border tension between China and India”. The entire process was completed in “only a few hours”, it claimed. The article accompanied by a choreographed video clipping did lighten the mood of many social media followers who found it laughable and amateurish, on several counts. Also read: India-China border face-off exposes China's two-facedness The entire evolution of moving thousands of troops nearly 4,000 km took “only a few hours”. Indeed, even the United States’ famed TRANSCOM would be envious. From a low altitude of 3,500 feet in Hubei province, the troops moved to “high altitude north-western region” at 15,000 feet in a few hours. Perhaps Chinese troops have achieved super-human capabilities of climate acclimatisation, according to a video tweeted by the Global Times. Several thousand soldiers with a Chinese PLA Air Force airborne brigade took just a few hours to maneuver from Central China’s Hubei Province to northwestern, high-altitude region amid China-India border tensions. https://t.co/dRuaTAMIt0 pic.twitter.com/CtRJRk13IO — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) June 7, 2020 × Recent articles attributed to a retired PLA General also claimed that close to 70% of the Chinese military force today is comprised single-children, with no siblings – all brought up as pampered “little emperors” by parents and consequently unable to bear the pressures of military service. Also read: India, China agreed to work together to maintain peace in border: China's foreign ministry The most striking aspect of this news article and video is its timing – less than a day after the India and China held a meeting at Moldo near Chushul, represented by the XIV Corps Commander on the Indian side and Commander of the South Xinjiang Military District from the Chinese side. Both sides had barely declared through respective foreign ministries their intention to peacefully resolve the impasse through diplomatic channels, that this news and video were served on GT as a veiled threat to India. Unlike the PLA which since its 1979 war with Vietnam has found its toughest adversary only in its population, the Indian Army has remained battle-hardened 24x365 – operationally and psychologically – thanks in no small measure to China’s iron brother, Pakistan. For the uninitiated, GT was established in 1993 and claims to be the third-largest newspaper in China. A subsidiary of the notorious People's Daily, both are officially run by the Chinese Communist Party. The People’s Daily signals through its daily slumber-inducing editorials to those in the know, as to whose career is on the upswing and whose is in a downward spin. GT, on the other hand, has a decree to attract and engage readers through a manipulative narrative, often through hyperbole. Today, GT is best known not for news, but its chest-thumping, hawkish and affronting editorials. One common theme is to criticise the alleged “perfidy” and “hypocrisy” of any country that disagrees with China while paeans of China’s supposed goodness to mankind are spread over its pages. Hu Xijin, GT Editor since 2005, is a postgraduate in Russian Literature and Language. Starting his career as a journalist with People’s Daily in 1989, Hu Xijin led a student group in the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989. When the student leader of 1989 became the Editor of GT and was indoctrinated by the Communists, he had no qualms in terming the student actions of 1989 as naivety. On the contrary, Hu Xijin recently urged authorities to shoot student protestors in Hong Kong. World over, scientists have been naming diseases based on the places of origin. Zika virus from Zika forest in Brazil; Ebola virus from Ebola river in Congo; Hantavirus from Hantan river in South Korea; the Spanish Flu from Spain; the MERS or Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome from the Arab countries. All these years, GT did not find any of these virus’ names racist. Following this convention, when the world attributed the current pandemic to Wuhan, GT cried foul, terming it a racist attack on the Chinese people. GT, however, continues to regularly publish articles on the ‘African Swine Flu’. The whole African continent and its people are fair game for GT and the Chinese Communist Party. The belligerent puffery did not stop there and origins of the Wuhan virus began to be attributed by GT first to Italy, the UK, the US military, Thailand and even India in recent times! GT has been specialising in inflammatory and instigating editorials – whether it is against protestors in Hong Kong or on the current events surrounding the death of the African American – George Floyd. Yet, there was not a word of remembrance for Tiananmen on June 4 this year when the world marked its 31st anniversary. Not a word for the racial and religious persecution of Uyghurs. In diplomatic circles, a popular joke is – “ah, but if it is from GT, don’t bother”. Little wonder then, outside China, none takes GT’s editorials seriously. Rest assured, the Dragon’s breath smells foul every time it opens its mouth.

China unleashes information war using state media amid India-China border crisis

Hua Chunying, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry on Monday said China and India have maintained close communication on resolving border issues through diplomatic and military channels.

Hua Chunying, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry on Monday said China and India have maintained close communication on resolving border issues through diplomatic and military channels. Chunying said border areas situation were discussed during the meeting between Chinese and Indian military officials on Jun 6. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed that China-India agreed to implement the important consensus reached by leaders and not to turn differences into disputes. Border areas situation were discussed during the meeting b/t Chinese & Indian military officials on Jun 6. China & India have maintained close communication on resolving border issues through diplomatic & military channels: China's Ambassador to India quoting Chinese FM Spox pic.twitter.com/skiBKYOzZT — ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2020 × ''India and China agreed to work together to maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas to create a favourable atmosphere for the stable development of bilateral relations,'' she noted. ''Overall the situation in the border areas is generally stable and under control. China and India have the capacity and willingness to properly solve relevant issues through negotiation and consultation,'' Sun Weidong, Chinese Ambassador to India said.

India, China agreed to work together to maintain peace in border: China's foreign ministry

India and China to hold Lieutenant General-level talks on June 6 to address ongoing dispute in eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control by China, news agency ANI reported quoting Indian Army sources.

14 Corps Commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Army sources added.

India and China have been locked in a dispute over the heavy military build-up of over 5000 troops in Eastern Ladakh sector by People's Liberation Army.

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India &amp; China to hold Lieutenant General-level talks on June 6 to address ongoing dispute in eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control by China. 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart: Indian Army Sources
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In some areas, they are inside the Indian territory but their intent to carry out <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/use-diplomacy-to-resolve-border-issues-with-india-us-house-committee-tells-china-302508">deeper incursions</a> was checked by the Indian security forces by quick deployment.

The Chinese have also brought in heavy vehicles with artillery guns and infantry combat vehicles in their rear positions close to the Indian territory.

(With inputs from ANI)

India and China to hold Lieutenant General-level talks on June 6 to address ongoing dispute in eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control by China, news agency ANI reported quoting Indian Army sources.

India and China to hold Lieutenant General-level talks on June 6 to address ongoing dispute in eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control by China, news agency ANI reported quoting Indian Army sources. 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Army sources added. India and China have been locked in a dispute over the heavy military build-up of over 5000 troops in Eastern Ladakh sector by People's Liberation Army. India & China to hold Lieutenant General-level talks on June 6 to address ongoing dispute in eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control by China. 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart: Indian Army Sources — ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2020 × In some areas, they are inside the Indian territory but their intent to carry out deeper incursions was checked by the Indian security forces by quick deployment. The Chinese have also brought in heavy vehicles with artillery guns and infantry combat vehicles in their rear positions close to the Indian territory. (With inputs from ANI)

India, China to hold Lieutenant General-level talks on June 6 to address ongoing dispute in eastern Ladakh

BJP leader Basavaraj Ingin on Monday said that there is no border dispute between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-pejavara-mutt-seer-vishwesha-teertha-swami-passes-away-270802">Karnataka</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-uddhav-thackeray-to-expand-state-cabinet-on-monday-270866">Maharashtra</a>, and added that it is the handiwork of Maratha politicians. 
 
"There is no border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Maratha politicians are trying to raise the issue just to gain public sympathy for their party. They have always been doing this. Once a personality goes down in degree, they create some issue.They just want to divert the attention of the people of Maharashtra," Ingin told media. 
 
"The matter was already decided by the Mahajan Commission report. It was earlier under legal scrutiny which has been completed by now," he added. 
 
Earlier in the day, amid tensions between Karnataka and neighbouring Maharashtra over the border issue with protests on both sides, Karnataka Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-cm-announces-rs-10-lakh-compensation-for-two-killed-in-mangaluru-protests-269561">BS Yediyurappa</a> urged people of the state to maintain peace stating that 'not a single piece of land' would be given away. 
 
The protests in Karnataka and Maharashtra have led to the cancellation of bus services between the two states. 
 
On Sunday, Shiv Sena activists had launched a protest near the Kolhapur bus stand and burnt an effigy of Yediyurappa. This came after protesters in Belagavi burnt an effigy of Maharashtra Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-uddhav-thackeray-to-expand-state-cabinet-on-monday-270866">Uddhav Thackeray</a>. 
 
The agitation was in reaction to Eknath Shinde and Chhagan Bhujbal being appointed as coordinating ministers, to look into the issue of Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute. 
 
On December 7, Thackeray had chaired a high-level meeting over the border dispute between two states. 
 
It was decided in the meeting that attempts will be made to get fast track hearing in Supreme Court on this issue.

BJP leader Basavaraj Ingin on Monday said that there is no border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra, and added that it is the handiwork of Maratha politicians.

BJP leader Basavaraj Ingin on Monday said that there is no border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra, and added that it is the handiwork of Maratha politicians. "There is no border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Maratha politicians are trying to raise the issue just to gain public sympathy for their party. They have always been doing this. Once a personality goes down in degree, they create some issue.They just want to divert the attention of the people of Maharashtra," Ingin told media. "The matter was already decided by the Mahajan Commission report. It was earlier under legal scrutiny which has been completed by now," he added. Earlier in the day, amid tensions between Karnataka and neighbouring Maharashtra over the border issue with protests on both sides, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa urged people of the state to maintain peace stating that 'not a single piece of land' would be given away. The protests in Karnataka and Maharashtra have led to the cancellation of bus services between the two states. On Sunday, Shiv Sena activists had launched a protest near the Kolhapur bus stand and burnt an effigy of Yediyurappa. This came after protesters in Belagavi burnt an effigy of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The agitation was in reaction to Eknath Shinde and Chhagan Bhujbal being appointed as coordinating ministers, to look into the issue of Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute. On December 7, Thackeray had chaired a high-level meeting over the border dispute between two states. It was decided in the meeting that attempts will be made to get fast track hearing in Supreme Court on this issue.

No border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra: BJP leader Basavaraj Ingin

By Nick Megoran

Border disputes have recently taken on renewed importance, threatening political crisis in the UK, US and EU. Yet 2018 saw positive steps towards resolving some of the world’s most difficult border conflicts, between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and Ethiopia and Eritrea. What lessons can be drawn from these examples?

International boundaries are not the same as international borders. Boundaries are invisible vertical planes extending upwards into airspace and downwards into the subsoil, marking the legal limit of states. Borders, on the other hand, are the practices associated with managing movement over boundaries, such as customs checkpoints, passport controls, and fences. Although literally at the edge of states, they can symbolically figure at the heart of a nation’s politics.

This was amply demonstrated in 2018. In the UK, the “Irish backstop” question plunged the country into an unprecedented political crisis. In the Mediterranean, meanwhile, over 2,200 migrants died attempting to evade the EU’s draconian border controls. At the same time, political gains have been made by parties of the right who regard the EU’s border-control policies as not draconian enough.

Across the Atlantic, meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s tub-thumping over a “caravan” of Central American migrants supposedly threatening the US border made 2017’s hotly-contested midterm elections even uglier. Tussles with lawmakers over funding a border wall with Mexico have now led to a government shutdown.

All this is a long way away from the “borderless world” that 1990s globalisation theorists such as Kenichi Ohmae predicted would follow the end of the Cold War. Instead, we are seeing a “rebordering” of the world, the physical and symbolic reinforcement of what historian Timothy Synder has called “the wall around the West”.

But the Western perspective isn’t the only one. Indeed, 2018 saw a number of hopeful and instructive developments in Asia and Africa.

Central Asia

Created in the 1920s by the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan became independent states in 1991. Their mutual boundary was an internal division within the Soviet Union, and was never intended to be an international boundary. Consequently, when the two states became independent, there were numerous disputes about its precise course. Villages, ethnic groups, families, farms, transport links and utility provision crisscrossed the borderlands.

Nonetheless, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the authoritarian president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, imposed unilateral border controls. Visas were demanded, crossborder bridges demolished, roads blocked, and bus routes terminated. Villages that straddled the boundary were demolished and residents forcibly moved elsewhere. Barbed wire fences were erected, unmarked mine fields laid, and soldiers deployed to the border frequently used violence on petty traders and other borderlanders. A boundary commission was established, but its work stalled as relations between the two states deteriorated.

Populists in Kyrgyzstan reacted furiously, alleging that Uzbekistan was invading them. Inter-ethnic dynamics within Kyrgyzstan worsened, culminating in 2010 with pogroms against the country’s Uzbek minority.

Karimov died in 2016 and was succeeded by his protege, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Mirziyoyev prioritised rebuilding regional relations, kick-starting delimitation negotiations and in late 2017 unilaterally reopened many border crossings.

In 2018, I visited the border and saw crowds of people crossing for trade and to visit family members, many of whom they had not seen for a decade and a half. Ethnic and interstate relations have improved as a result.

Ethiopia-Eritrea

An even more striking example from 2018 was the ending of the Ethiopian-Eritrean border conflict. As with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, this boundary was a colonial legacy that artificially divided populations – and between 1998 and 2000, the two countries fought a bitter border war during which some 70,000 people died. The disputed territories were relatively small and of little economic value, but became heavily politicised by the militaristic governments of both countries.

The Eritrea–Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) was established under a 2000 peace agreement to end the war. It rendered its decision in 2002 and planned to oversee demarcation in 2003. Although previously agreeing that the ruling would be binding, Ethiopia took the highly unusual position of refusing to accept it. Despite pressure from the UN Security Council, troops continued to occupy disputed territory, refugees remained in camps, and crossborder contact was minimal. The threat of renewed war continued.

But in April 2018, the relatively youthful Abiy Ahmed took over as Ethiopian prime minister. He moved rapidly to improve relations with Eritrea, accepting the EEBC ruling and pulling troops back from disputed areas. A mere three months after taking office, he signed a peace accord with his Eritrean counterpart, formally ending the war. This was accompanied by joyful scenes of families reunited after two decades.

How to make good borders

Good borders are not about technical lines on a map, but political will. Changes in leadership in Uzbekistan and Ethiopia were crucial in restarting boundary delimitation and border management processes that had become deadlocked. As a result, families have been reunited, ethnic tensions reduced, and trade opportunities increased.

There are broader lessons here. The impasses created by the Irish border question in the Brexit negotiations and Trump’s border wall have created a political crisis, poisoned politics, and fanned xenophobia. More migrants die each year because of the EU’s militarised border controls than at any other border on Earth. These outcomes are not inevitable; they are political choices.

The EU, UK and US like to see themselves as moral standard-bearers in the international community. When it comes to border politics, however, they could do a lot worse than look to Uzbekistan and Ethiopia in 2019.

(Nick Megoran is Reader in Political Geography, Newcastle University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/need-to-solve-a-border-dispute-look-to-ethiopia-and-uzbekistan-109149">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

By Nick Megoran Border disputes have recently taken on renewed importance, threatening political crisis in the UK, US and EU. Yet 2018 saw positive steps towards resolving some of the world’s most difficult border conflicts, between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and Ethiopia and Eritrea.

By Nick Megoran Border disputes have recently taken on renewed importance, threatening political crisis in the UK, US and EU. Yet 2018 saw positive steps towards resolving some of the world’s most difficult border conflicts, between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and Ethiopia and Eritrea. What lessons can be drawn from these examples? International boundaries are not the same as international borders. Boundaries are invisible vertical planes extending upwards into airspace and downwards into the subsoil, marking the legal limit of states. Borders, on the other hand, are the practices associated with managing movement over boundaries, such as customs checkpoints, passport controls, and fences. Although literally at the edge of states, they can symbolically figure at the heart of a nation’s politics. This was amply demonstrated in 2018. In the UK, the “Irish backstop” question plunged the country into an unprecedented political crisis. In the Mediterranean, meanwhile, over 2,200 migrants died attempting to evade the EU’s draconian border controls. At the same time, political gains have been made by parties of the right who regard the EU’s border-control policies as not draconian enough. Across the Atlantic, meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s tub-thumping over a “caravan” of Central American migrants supposedly threatening the US border made 2017’s hotly-contested midterm elections even uglier. Tussles with lawmakers over funding a border wall with Mexico have now led to a government shutdown. All this is a long way away from the “borderless world” that 1990s globalisation theorists such as Kenichi Ohmae predicted would follow the end of the Cold War. Instead, we are seeing a “rebordering” of the world, the physical and symbolic reinforcement of what historian Timothy Synder has called “the wall around the West”. But the Western perspective isn’t the only one. Indeed, 2018 saw a number of hopeful and instructive developments in Asia and Africa. Central Asia Created in the 1920s by the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan became independent states in 1991. Their mutual boundary was an internal division within the Soviet Union, and was never intended to be an international boundary. Consequently, when the two states became independent, there were numerous disputes about its precise course. Villages, ethnic groups, families, farms, transport links and utility provision crisscrossed the borderlands. Nonetheless, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the authoritarian president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, imposed unilateral border controls. Visas were demanded, crossborder bridges demolished, roads blocked, and bus routes terminated. Villages that straddled the boundary were demolished and residents forcibly moved elsewhere. Barbed wire fences were erected, unmarked mine fields laid, and soldiers deployed to the border frequently used violence on petty traders and other borderlanders. A boundary commission was established, but its work stalled as relations between the two states deteriorated. Populists in Kyrgyzstan reacted furiously, alleging that Uzbekistan was invading them. Inter-ethnic dynamics within Kyrgyzstan worsened, culminating in 2010 with pogroms against the country’s Uzbek minority. Karimov died in 2016 and was succeeded by his protege, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Mirziyoyev prioritised rebuilding regional relations, kick-starting delimitation negotiations and in late 2017 unilaterally reopened many border crossings. In 2018, I visited the border and saw crowds of people crossing for trade and to visit family members, many of whom they had not seen for a decade and a half. Ethnic and interstate relations have improved as a result. Ethiopia-Eritrea An even more striking example from 2018 was the ending of the Ethiopian-Eritrean border conflict. As with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, this boundary was a colonial legacy that artificially divided populations – and between 1998 and 2000, the two countries fought a bitter border war during which some 70,000 people died. The disputed territories were relatively small and of little economic value, but became heavily politicised by the militaristic governments of both countries. The Eritrea–Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) was established under a 2000 peace agreement to end the war. It rendered its decision in 2002 and planned to oversee demarcation in 2003. Although previously agreeing that the ruling would be binding, Ethiopia took the highly unusual position of refusing to accept it. Despite pressure from the UN Security Council, troops continued to occupy disputed territory, refugees remained in camps, and crossborder contact was minimal. The threat of renewed war continued. But in April 2018, the relatively youthful Abiy Ahmed took over as Ethiopian prime minister. He moved rapidly to improve relations with Eritrea, accepting the EEBC ruling and pulling troops back from disputed areas. A mere three months after taking office, he signed a peace accord with his Eritrean counterpart, formally ending the war. This was accompanied by joyful scenes of families reunited after two decades. How to make good borders Good borders are not about technical lines on a map, but political will. Changes in leadership in Uzbekistan and Ethiopia were crucial in restarting boundary delimitation and border management processes that had become deadlocked. As a result, families have been reunited, ethnic tensions reduced, and trade opportunities increased. There are broader lessons here. The impasses created by the Irish border question in the Brexit negotiations and Trump’s border wall have created a political crisis, poisoned politics, and fanned xenophobia. More migrants die each year because of the EU’s militarised border controls than at any other border on Earth. These outcomes are not inevitable; they are political choices. The EU, UK and US like to see themselves as moral standard-bearers in the international community. When it comes to border politics, however, they could do a lot worse than look to Uzbekistan and Ethiopia in 2019. (Nick Megoran is Reader in Political Geography, Newcastle University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Need to solve a border dispute? Look to Ethiopia and Uzbekistan

Venezuela and Colombia agreed on Thursday to reopen pedestrian border crossings between their countries, a year after Venezuela closed the frontier in a dispute over security and smuggling. 
 
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said he and his Venezuelan counterpart agreed to open five pedestrian crossings for 15 hours a day from Saturday. 
 
&quot;What we are going to do is open the border gradually,&quot; Santos told reporters after talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. 
 
&quot;It will be a temporary opening schedule while we learn and adapt to the decisions so that each step we take will be accurate and positive.&quot; 
 
Maduro said he hoped the reopening would lead to a &quot;new frontier of peace&quot; and &quot;a new beginning for economic and trade relations.&quot; 
 
Santos said they would continue discussions about opening up the border to cargo vehicles. 
 
He added that they were discussing the possibility of setting up Venezuelan gas stations on the Colombian side where Venezuela could sell its petrol. 
 
At the talks in the eastern Venezuelan town of Puerto Ordaz, the leaders said they reviewed reports by their advisers on cross-border smuggling and security. 
 
Security was the top issue at the border, Santos said. The two countries this week set up a joint initiative to fight organized crime. 
 
&quot;This is very important because it is going to make it possible for the rest of the border to operate peacefully,&quot; he said.Santos said the two countries also agreed to exchange customs information to fight petrol smuggling -- one reason Maduro cited for closing the border. 
 
Maduro sealed off his country&#39;s 2,200-kilometre (1,400-mile) western border on August 19 last year after an attack on a Venezuelan army patrol which wounded three people. 
 
He said at the time that right-wing paramilitaries from Colombia were to blame. 
 
The leftist leader has briefly reopened the border in recent weeks to allow Venezuelans to stock up on food, medicine and other basic supplies. 
 
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans streamed into the Colombian city of Cucuta last month, taking advantage of the temporary reopening. 
Venezuela is facing severe shortages in an economic crisis fueled by the global crash in the price of oil, its main export. 
 
Maduro&#39;s opponents also accuse him of mishandling the state-led economy. They are trying to call a referendum on removing him from office. 
 
The United Nations said Venezuela deported hundreds of Colombians last year after the border was closed and that thousands more fled back to Colombia for fear of being expelled. 
 
The UN Interamerican Commission on Human Rights said the situation caused a humanitarian crisis and that deported Colombians` rights were violated.&nbsp;Caracas denied the allegation. 
 
(AFP)

Maduro had also briefly reopened the border in recent weeks to allow crisis-hit Venezuelans to stock up on food and medicines

Venezuela and Colombia agreed on Thursday to reopen pedestrian border crossings between their countries, a year after Venezuela closed the frontier in a dispute over security and smuggling. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said he and his Venezuelan counterpart agreed to open five pedestrian crossings for 15 hours a day from Saturday. "What we are going to do is open the border gradually," Santos told reporters after talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. "It will be a temporary opening schedule while we learn and adapt to the decisions so that each step we take will be accurate and positive." Maduro said he hoped the reopening would lead to a "new frontier of peace" and "a new beginning for economic and trade relations." Santos said they would continue discussions about opening up the border to cargo vehicles. He added that they were discussing the possibility of setting up Venezuelan gas stations on the Colombian side where Venezuela could sell its petrol. At the talks in the eastern Venezuelan town of Puerto Ordaz, the leaders said they reviewed reports by their advisers on cross-border smuggling and security. Security was the top issue at the border, Santos said. The two countries this week set up a joint initiative to fight organized crime. "This is very important because it is going to make it possible for the rest of the border to operate peacefully," he said.Santos said the two countries also agreed to exchange customs information to fight petrol smuggling -- one reason Maduro cited for closing the border. Maduro sealed off his country's 2,200-kilometre (1,400-mile) western border on August 19 last year after an attack on a Venezuelan army patrol which wounded three people. He said at the time that right-wing paramilitaries from Colombia were to blame. The leftist leader has briefly reopened the border in recent weeks to allow Venezuelans to stock up on food, medicine and other basic supplies. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans streamed into the Colombian city of Cucuta last month, taking advantage of the temporary reopening. Venezuela is facing severe shortages in an economic crisis fueled by the global crash in the price of oil, its main export. Maduro's opponents also accuse him of mishandling the state-led economy. They are trying to call a referendum on removing him from office. The United Nations said Venezuela deported hundreds of Colombians last year after the border was closed and that thousands more fled back to Colombia for fear of being expelled. The UN Interamerican Commission on Human Rights said the situation caused a humanitarian crisis and that deported Colombians` rights were violated. Caracas denied the allegation. (AFP)

Colombia, Venezuela to reopen border

border-dispute

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