Border Row: India, China Agree To Work Out 'Mutually Acceptable' Resolution Of Remaining Friction Points

India and China agreed to keep in close contact and work out a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh as soon as possible during their military talks on Sunday.

During their military talks on Sunday, India and China agreed to keep in close contact and work out a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh as soon as possible. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Monday (April 24) that the two sides had a "frank and in-depth" discussion about resolving the relevant issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector.

The MEA said: "The two sides agreed to maintain close contact and dialogue through military and diplomatic channels in order to work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues as soon as possible."

Both parties agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground, according to the statement.

"The two sides had a frank and in-depth discussion on the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in order to restore peace and tranquillity in border areas, which will enable progress in bilateral relations," the MEA said.

Eastern Ladakh is referred to as the Western Sector by the government.

"In accordance with the guidance provided by the State Leaders and following the meeting between the two Foreign Ministers in March 2023, they had an open and candid exchange of views," the MEA said.

On Sunday, the 18th round of India-China Corps Commander-level talks took place at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side. The talks took place just days before Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu's planned visit to India to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.

The meeting, led by Fire and Fury Corps Commander Lt Gen Rashim Bali and an equivalent rank officer from the Chinese side, is taking place today in the eastern Ladakh sector, news agency ANI reported citing defence sources.

This meeting came after a five-month hiatus. The two sides last meeting at the Corps Commander level was in December of last year.

The meeting takes place at a time when both sides are engaged in rapid construction activities along their respective border areas in order to strengthen their respective positions.