India, China officials vow peace

Senior generals of both armies to meet in Ladakh today to resolve standoff

In what could prove a major headway prior to crucial India-China talks by lieutenant-generals of the two armies on Saturday to resolve the standoff in the Ladakh sector, senior foreign ministry officials of the two nations reviewed “current developments” and resolved Friday that both sides should handle their differences through peaceful discussions. This must be done keeping in mind the other side’s sensitivities and concerns so that “differences do not become disputes”, they said. They reiterated that peaceful ties between the

two Asian giants ensure world stability.

This was decided at a video conference on Friday between MEA joint secretary (East Asia)

Naveen Srivastava and Chinese foreign ministry director-general Wu Jianghao. The two officials recalled the consensus reached between

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in previous meetings, including two informal summits.

The references to the resolve of the two leaders is being seen as a positive indication that India and China can resolve their differences peacefully. Cooperation in multilateral forums, including during the coronavirus pandemic, was also discussed, with the spotlight firmly on cooperation rather than confrontation.

India had last month accused the China’s People’s Liberation Army of blocking Indian Army patrols on India’s side of the Line of Actual Control.

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