Ladakh Standoff Eases as India, China Reach Consensus
By Yangchen Lhamu
DHARAMSALA, 27 Sept: The Chinese Defence Ministry reported significant advancements in border negotiations with India, citing reduced discrepancies and the establishment of a consensus on disengaging troops from key friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
China’s Foreign Ministry Director General, Li Jinsong, recently held a meeting with India’s Ambassador to China, Pradeep Kumar Rawat, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations. This encounter underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and address key issues, as reported by The Indian Express.
In a recent interview with Times Now, Pradeep Kumar Rawat said, “At both the diplomatic and military levels, talks have been ongoing for quite some time, ever since the Galwan incident took place. We have seen 21 rounds of military-level talks, and India and China are now preparing for the 22nd round between the core commanders of both countries.”
India and China have achieved a major breakthrough in resolving their border disputes, particularly in Eastern Ladakh, following recent talks. The two nations have reportedly narrowed their differences on outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and are exploring potential solutions that reflect their pre-April 2020 positions. Additionally, they have agreed to address existing concerns in Arunachal Pradesh, marking significant progress in their negotiations.
Citing sources, the report added that the recent breakthrough in India-China talks may enable troops to access previously restricted patrolling points along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. This development follows the blocking of access by Chinese troops or the establishment of buffer zones during disengagement at specific friction points.
According to Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defence, China and India have maintained open communication through various channels, including diplomatic and military talks, under the guidance of their respective Foreign Ministers and India’s National Security Advisor, as well as through border consultation mechanisms.
Both China and India, through talks, “have been able to reduce their differences and build some consensus, while also agreeing to strengthen dialogue to accommodate each other’s legitimate concerns,” Zhang said. He further added, “The two sides agreed to reach a resolution at an early date that is acceptable to both parties.”
However, while fielding questions from reporters, Zhang remained silent on specific disengagement progress in these areas but emphasised the importance of consolidating existing outcomes.
“We will continue to consolidate the outcomes we have reached and respect bilateral agreements and confidence-building measures to safeguard peace and tranquillity at the border,” he said.
On 12 September, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that approximately 75% of the “disengagement problems” with China have been “sorted out,” though he expressed concern over the increasing militarisation of the border.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry followed up by announcing the disengagement of troops at four locations in Eastern Ladakh, including the Galwan Valley, and declared the border situation stable.
In New York on Wednesday, Jaishankar clarified that while 75% of disengagement along the India-China border has been resolved, the main challenge now is managing patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He added that patrolling arrangements have been disrupted since 2020, and that “the larger, next step” for New Delhi and Beijing is “how to deal with the rest of the relationship.”
