Shortest round of talks between India and China ended with resolve to keep negotiating
The two sides agreed to resolve these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.
FollowAmid the ongoing border standoff between two neighbouring nations in eastern Ladakh, India and China had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the border areas.
The 12th Round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held on July 31 at Chushul on the Indian side, opposite Moldo on the Chinese side. The meeting which started at 1030 hours, lasted for 9 hours, the shortest meeting since June last year.
"The two sides noted that this round of meeting was constructive, which further enhanced mutual understanding. They agreed to resolve these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations," a joint press statement said.
During the meeting, as per the statement, the two sides also agreed that in the interim they will continue their effective efforts in ensuring stability along the LAC and jointly maintain peace and tranquillity.
This meeting was held in the backdrop of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi meeting at Dushanbe in Tajikistan on July 14 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Affairs Ministers' meeting.
Also, the two countries had also held their 22nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs on June 25.
The 11th round of military dialogue had taken place on April 9 at the Chushul on the Indian side and it lasted for around 13 hours.
A day later on August 1, the two armies established their sixth hotline at Kongra La in North Sikkim and at Khamba Dzong in Tibetan Autonomous Region to further the spirit of trust and cordial relations along the borders.
So far, the two countries have established two hotlines each in eastern Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
"The armed forces of the two countries have well-established mechanisms for communication at ground commanders level. These hotlines in various sectors go a long way in enhancing the same and maintaining peace and tranquillity at the borders," the Indian Army said on Sunday.
Apart from Senior Corps Commanders-level meetings, the two armies have held 10 Major General level talks, 55 Brigadier level talks, and around 1,450 calls over the hotlines.
Earlier this year, the two Foreign Ministers had agreed to set up new hotline for the foreign ministers to ensure 'timely communication' in the wake of the border standoff.
The two countries had also agreed to set up a hotline between the Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations and China's Western Theatre Command.
