Border tensions remain even as Chinese and Indian commanders continue negotiations
- Latest round of talks between military leaders after skirmish in Galwan Valley left 20 dead are said to have made ‘positive progress’
- But experts note that the discussions do not seem to be producing any end to the stand-off soon
China says that its border troops’ communication with India is making progress to ease their tensions, and that they will continue to talk out a solution to end the current stand-off.
Major General Liu Lin, commander of China’s South Xinjiang military region, and Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, commander of India’s Leh-based 14 Corps, met in Chushul, Ladakh, on Tuesday for the third time in a month, and made some “positive progress” on taking effective measures to disengage and reduce tension on the border, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.
“We hope the Indian side will implement the agreed consensus with practical actions, continue keeping close communications through military and diplomatic channels, and jointly promote a de-escalation of the situation on the border,” said Zhao.
But Indian media reported that during the 12-hour marathon negotiations, the two sides had difficulties on how to “define the details of disengagement”.
At their last meeting on June 22, they agreed to disengage from friction points along the disputed border. That meeting was held a week after the deadliest skirmish in decades between the two nations in Galwan Valley on June 15; in all, 20 Indian soldiers were killed.