Chinese and Indian military commanders wrap up latest border talks days after troops clash

Negotiations between military chiefs on the disputed frontier have been taking place since May 2020 and this round finished with no mention of any progress

The talks took place days after a skirmish far to the east, the first such incident since the deadly Galwan Valley incident more than 2 years ago

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Indian border troops stationed near the Ladakh region. Photo: SOPA Images via ZUM

Published: 11:00pm, 22 Dec 2022Updated: 4:50pm, 28 Apr 2023

China and India have finished another round of their marathon border negotiations on Wednesday – days after a clash between their troops along the disputed frontier.

The 17th commander-level meeting between frontline officers was held on Tuesday at the usual Chusul-Moldo meeting point on the western sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Chinese defence ministry said on Thursday.

Earlier this month, dozens of troops were injured in a skirmish in the Tawang sector of India’s Arunachal Pradesh state, far to the east on the other side of the LAC. It was the first such incident since a fatal clash in the Galwan valley in June 2020.

Although Thursday’s statement did not mention the latest fighting or any progress in the talks, it did include references to the “restoration of peace and tranquillity” and “progress in bilateral relations”.

“The two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the western sector,” it continued. “The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest opportunity.”

The last round of talks was held in July. However, the negotiations, which began in May 2020, have only focused on the section of the LAC that runs along the Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin and Indian-controlled Eastern Ladakh regions and only involve army corps commanders stationed there.