Indian and Chinese military commanders have reached an agreement to utilize existing channels for resolving any on-the-ground issues along their shared border, aiming to preserve stability. This commitment comes as both nations continue their efforts to address the long-standing border dispute and normalize relations after a period of prolonged face-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The 23rd round of talks between the corps commanders of India and China took place on October 25 at the Chushul-Moldo border point. According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, this meeting was significant as it was the first since the two sides agreed in October 2024 to end the standoff in the Ladakh sector of the LAC.
“Both sides agreed to continue to use existing mechanisms to resolve any ground issues along the border to maintain stability,” the official readout stated. This marks a crucial step in ongoing dialogue aimed at de-escalation and fostering peace in the region.
Notably, this was the first high-level meeting involving army generals in the Western Sector since the 24th round of talks held on August 19 between Special Representatives on the border issue, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The discussions were reportedly held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere.
During the talks, both sides reviewed the progress made since the previous corps commander talks in October 2024. A shared perspective was that peace and tranquility have been successfully maintained in the India-China border areas.
China’s Ministry of Defence echoed this sentiment, stating that both nations engaged in constructive communication regarding the management of the western sector of their border. They affirmed their commitment to continued dialogue through both military and diplomatic channels, guided by agreements made by the countries’ leaders, to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border regions.
This development follows an understanding reached on October 21, 2024, regarding the disengagement of frontline troops at the Demchok and Depsang friction points. This agreement helped conclude the military face-off that had been ongoing in the Ladakh sector of the LAC since April-May 2020, a period marked by a significant clash in the Galwan Valley that resulted in casualties on both sides and strained bilateral relations.
In the aftermath of the disengagement understanding, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Kazan, Russia, and agreed to revitalize various dialogue mechanisms, including discussions between Special Representatives, to manage the border issue and foster normalized relations.
While the disengagement has been a positive step, both India and China continue to maintain a substantial troop presence in the Ladakh sector. Currently, there are no visible signs of significant de-escalation or withdrawal of these forces, indicating that efforts to fully resolve the underlying issues are ongoing.