India and China set up Hotline

According to the Hindu, India has, at China's suggestion, agreed to set up a hotline with her eastern neighbour. According to the newspaper, India's only current hotline friend is the Russian Federation, while China has a 'functional' hotline with the US. (What is the difference between a functional hotline and a non-functional hotline?)

'NEW DELHI: India and China have decided to set up a hotline between Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Wen Jiabao as a confidence building measure. The decision was taken during the 13th Round of India-China Special Representatives talks on the boundary question which concluded here on Saturday in a “cordial and friendly atmosphere.'

Indo-Sino trade came to $52b in 2008.