Chinese and Indian military commanders have pledged to “maintain the peace and tranquility” along their disputed border, in an apparent effort by the sides to stabilise the situation after a rise in tensions.
The two countries’ defence ministries issued identical statements late on Tuesday, saying the 19th round of commander-level talks had produced a “positive, constructive and in-depth discussion” centred on resolving issues related to the Line of Actual Control in the border’s western sector.
The statement said they “agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner,” but there is no indication that either side is willing to offer concessions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Wednesday praised the talks, held at the Indian army post in the town of Chushul-Moldo, and highlighted the two sides’ commitment to “maintain the momentum of communication and dialogue through military and diplomatic channels”.
The Line of Actual Control separates Chinese and Indian-held territories from Ladakh in the west to India’s eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.
India and China fought a war over their border in 1962.
Credit: aljazeera.com
