LAC standoff: India, China agree to peacefully resolve border issue

MEA also said that both sides will continue the military and diplomatic talks

NEW DELHI: India and China have agreed to continue military and diplomatic talks to “peacefully” resolve the border issue in accordance with bilateral pacts and guidance provided by leaders of the two countries, the external affairs ministry said on Sunday, sharing the outcome of a high-level military dialogue on the Eastern Ladakh standoff.

Military commanders of the two armies held a marathon meeting in Maldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh on Saturday in an attempt to resolve the month-long standoff in the high altitude Himalayan region.

The external affairs ministry said the meeting took place in a “cordial and positive atmosphere and both sides agreed that an early resolution of the issue would contribute to the further development of the relationship between the two countries”.

“Both sides also noted that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and agreed that an early resolution would contribute to the further development of the relationship,” the MEA said about the military talks.

The Indian delegation was led by Lt General Harinder Singh, the general officer commanding of Leh-based 14 Corps, while the Chinese side was headed by the Commander of the Tibet Military District Major General Liu Lin.

It is learnt that Indian delegation pressed for restoration of status quo ante in all sensitive areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) besides seeking withdrawal of additional Chinese troops from the region.

The LAC is the de-facto border. The sources said India was not expecting any “concrete outcome” from the meeting but considers it important as the high-level military dialogue could pave the way for a negotiated settlement of the tense standoff.

The India-china border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long LAC. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet while India contests it.