Indo-China talks on border row end in stalemate

NEW DELHI: Talks between Indian and Chinese military commanders on easing a 20-month border standoff ended without a breakthrough for the second time in three months, an Indian Defense Ministry official said Thursday. The ministry said the two sides had a “frank and in-depth exchange of views” in the meeting on China’s side of the Moldo meeting point on Wednesday and would work to resolve the remaining issues, without specifying them.

The previous round of commander-level talks in October also ended in a stalemate, with China accusing India of sticking to “unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding difficulties to the negotiations.”

Indian army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane on Wednesday described the current situation in eastern Ladakh as “stable and under control” but told reporters in New Delhi that India would continue to deal with China in a “firm and resolute” manner.

Asked about the Indian comment on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in Beijing that China hopes “the certain individual from India can avoid making such unconstructive comments.”

India and China have stationed tens of thousands of soldiers backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets along their de facto border, called the Line of Actual Control. In 2020, 20 Indian troops were killed in a clash with Chinese soldiers involving clubs, stones and fists. China said it lost four soldiers.

Since February last year, India and China have withdrawn troops from some sites on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso, Gogra and Galwan Valley, but continue to maintain extra forces as part of a multi-tier deployment.