Winter chill brings promise of stability in China-India border dispute

The 14th round of talks between the two sides ends in an agreement with a joint statement after ‘frank and in-depth exchange’

Efforts for a mutually acceptable resolution will continue but Chinese and Indian armies to maintain security and stability during colder months

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Indian troops near the border area with China. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:29pm, 14 Jan 2022Updated: 5:45pm, 14 Jan 2022

China and India have agreed to step back from confrontation over their disputed border during the freezing Himalayan winter.

In a joint statement, the PLA’s Western Theatre Command and the Indian Army said they would maintain stability in the western sector – scene of bloody clashes between the two sides in 2020 – and continue their efforts to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

Both sides had a “frank and in-depth exchange of views” – diplomatic language which usually means a lot of disagreement and heated back-and-forth – according to the statement.

“The two sides also agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and take effective efforts to maintain security and stability on the ground in the western sector, including during winter,” it said.

“The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels, and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.”

The meeting was held in Moldo, on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, with Xinjiang military district Commander Major General Yang Lin leading the People’s Liberation Army delegation. According to The Indian Express, his counterpart was Lieutenant-General Anindya Sengupta.

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