India And China Agree To “Peacefully Resolve” Month-Long Border Standoff At LAC

Report By: Nandika Chand | Last Updated June 7, 2020

Mindful of the fact that peace and tranquility in the India – China border regions is essential, the two countries have agreed to “peacefully resolve” the month-long border standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India and China have agreed to work accordingly with various bilateral agreements. It said both nations will continue the military and diplomatic engagements to resolve the situation. “Both sides also noted that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and agreed that an early resolution would contribute to further development of the relationship,” the ministry said.

The Indian and Chinese delegation held talks yesterday to resolve the border standoff. Lt. General Harinder Singh, the general officer commanding of Leh-based 14 Corps, led the Indian delegation while the Commander of the Tibet Military District headed the Chinese side. Sources said said the two military commanders discussed differences in details. They confirmed that brigade and battalion commander-level talks will take place at designated points to resolve all the outstanding issues point by point.

Following the standoff in May, the Indian military leadership took a firm stance that India will adopt a firm approach in dealing with the aggressive posturing by the Chinese troops in all disputed areas of Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie.

Rajeev Ranjan Chaturvedy, a senior international relations analyst based in Delhi, said talks between India and China has helped create the right environment for a “deeper discussion” among officials. However, he said China’s territorial offensive will not end. “Changing the status quo through incremental encroachment in disputed territory has become a permanent feature of Chinese foreign policy,” the expert said.

Meanwhile, Long Xingchun, president of the Chengdu Institute of World Affairs, said the border tension will not escalate into a bigger problem. He said neither side wants it to develop into a major confrontation. Xingchun said China is facing strategic pressure from the US, trying to restore its economy after the COVID-19 pandemic and trying to address problems in Hong Kong and Taiwan. “Resolving the current India – China dispute is not high on the agenda of the Chinese government,” the expert said. “There is no urgency to change the status quo through military means.”