Our Bureau
Beijing
India and China held constructive and forward-looking talks on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, with both nations agreeing that maintaining border peace and tranquillity is key to normalising their overall bilateral relations. The discussions marked another significant step in resolving the six-year-old border standoff that began in 2020.
Both sides noted that the peace and tranquillity maintained along the border has enabled measurable progress in normalising relations between the two Asian giants. The Ministry of External Affairs described the conversations as in-depth, constructive, and forward-looking, emphasising that both countries agreed on the need to jointly uphold peace on the ground in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements and protocols.
The talks followed recent meetings between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Astana and Vientiane, where the two foreign ministers discussed the current situation along the LAC. During these engagements, both sides reviewed outstanding issues with the aim of finding an early resolution. The discussions built upon the October 21, 2024 agreement on patrolling arrangements along the LAC in Depsang and Demchok, which led to disengagement from all friction points established during the 2020 standoff.
Under the 2024 agreement, patrolling activities and grazing where applicable have resumed as per longstanding practices before the friction began. The Ministry confirmed that the agreement has been fully implemented according to agreed modalities and timelines, with terms of disengagement agreements reached prior to October 2024 continuing to hold in relevant areas of Eastern Ladakh.
This latest diplomatic engagement signals renewed commitment from both nations to resolve border differences through dialogue while maintaining the peace that has allowed relations to gradually improve since the 2024 breakthrough.
