The Chinese Defence Ministry stated on Thursday that the ongoing efforts to resolve the prolonged military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh are being carried out in a comcomprehensively and effectivelying to the ministry, both countries’ armed forces are diligently working to implement the agreements reached during diplomatic and military negotiations to restore normalcy in the border regions.
Addressing a media briefing in Beijing, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Defence Ministry, responded to questions regarding the current status of the situation in eastern Ladakh. He affirmed that the resolutions agreed upon by both nations were being executed smoothly and efficiently.
“At present, the Chinese and Indian militaries are implementing the resolutions related to the border areas in a comcomprehensively and effectivelyan stated.
The spokesperson further reiterated China’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability along the India- China border and expressed Beijing’s willingness to collaborate with New Delhi in ensuring a harmonious and conflict-free environment in the disputed areas.
“We are ready to work with the Indian side to jointly preserve peace and tranquility in the border areas,” he added.
The standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh, which lasted for over four years, saw a significant breakthrough in late 2023 when both sides reached an agreement for the disengagement of troops from the remaining flashpoints—Depsang and Demchok. This agreement marked a crucial step in the de-escalation process, facilitating the restoration of diplomatic and economic ties that had been strained since the border tensions first erupted in 2020.
Following the disengagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in high-level discussions on October 23, 2023, in Kazan, Russia. Their meeting focused on strengthening the dialogue mechanisms that had been in place before the tensions escalated. Both leaders emphasized the importance of reviving bilateral communication channels to address any future disputes and prevent further escalation.n
After the leaders’ meeting, a series of high-profile discussions were held to build upon the diplomatic momentum and work towards complete normalization of relations:
- 23rd Special Representative (SR) Dialogue (December 18, 2023)
- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing to deliberate on border-related concerns and the broader India-China relationship.
- Both sides acknowledged the need for sustained diplomatic engagement to ensure the long-term stability of their ties.
- Foreign Secretary-Level Talks (January 26, 2024)
- Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri traveled to Beijing and held discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Sun Weid,underr the framework of the ‘Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister’ mechanism.
- These talks reinforced the diplomatic momentum and explored ways to rebuild trust and cooperation between the two nations
With the completion of the disengagement process and successive rounds of high-level diplomatic engagements, both India and China have been working towards normalizing bilateral relations. However, New Delhi has maintained a firm stance that peace and stability in the border areas are a prerequisite for restoring full-scale cooperation between the two countries.
The Indian government has consistently emphasized that unless there is complete peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), relations with China cannot return to normalcy. This position was reiterated in various diplomatic engagements, underlining India’s priority of ensuring border security before moving forward with deeper economic and strategic cooperation.
Looking Ahead
As India and China continue their diplomatic and military discussions, there remains a cautious optimism about the future of their relationship. The series of recent meetings and agreements signal a positive shift in bilateral ties, but both nations will need to remain committed to their diplomatic mechanisms to prevent further disputes.
While the implementation of disengagement agreements marks significant progress, long-term stability will depend on continued dialogue, trust-building measures, and adherence to mutually agreed protocols. Both India and China now face the challenge of ensuring that future tensions do not escalate into prolonged conflicts, as seen in recent years.
