China-India border row: both sides call for more troop withdrawals
- Chinese and Indian foreign ministers discuss disengagement from border area at security conference in Dushanbe
- Meeting comes ahead of 13th round of military talks to resolve the dispute
“Communication between the diplomatic and military departments of the two countries was serious and effective, and the border situation between the two countries has generally developed in the direction of relaxation,” the Chinese foreign ministry quoted Wang as saying on Friday.
“It is hoped that the Indian side will meet the Chinese side halfway to promote the continued stability of the situation.
“It is necessary to consolidate the results of the disengagement of frontline forces and strictly abide by the agreements and consensus reached between the two countries.”
Wang said China and India should not pose threats to each other, and should expand cooperation to ensure ties were on a healthy track.
Jaishankar said he discussed the border tensions in the meeting.
“Discussed disengagement in our border areas. Underlined that progress in this regard is essential for restoration of peace and tranquillity, which is the basis for development of bilateral ties,” he said on Twitter.
Without giving details, Jaishankar said he also discussed recent global events with Wang.
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PLA forces conduct drill in Tibet: experts call it a warning to China’s neighbour India
Indian and Chinese came to blows in the western Himalayas in June last year when animosity over a decades-old border dispute blew up and soldiers from both sides engaged in deadly hand-to-hand fighting. At least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers died in the clashes.
It was the deadliest skirmish since the 1962 border war and it quickly developed into a military stand-off. Both sides increased the build-up of infrastructure and sent extra troops and equipment to the region.
Military commanders held several rounds of talks in the aftermath and forces retreated from some sections of the border. The two sides have held 12 rounds of negotiations, and the 13th round is expected to be held soon.
State broadcaster CCTV reported on Monday that China held a live-fire drill on a plateau at 4,700m (15,420 feet) altitude in Tibet. The People’s Liberation Army brigade used a Chinese HQ-16B surface-to-air missile system with radar.
