In a notable development aimed at alleviating years of border tensions, India and China have reiterated their dedication to upholding peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This affirmation emerged during the most recent round of Corps Commander-level talks held on October 25 at the Moldo-Chushul border point, situated on Indian territory. This meeting marks the first military engagement since the Special Representatives’ dialogue between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in August.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that the discussions unfolded in a “cordial and constructive atmosphere.” Both parties acknowledged the significant progress made since the previous round of talks held in October 2024 and recognized that peace and tranquility have generally been upheld in border regions.
Additionally, both nations agreed to continue employing existing communication and coordination mechanisms to tackle local issues and bolster stability along their shared frontier. This renewed military dialogue signals a gradual thawing of relations between India and China following more than four years of heightened tensions stemming from the border standoff that began in May 2020. The situation began to ease last year with the completion of disengagement at the last unresolved friction points — Demchok and Depsang.
However, it is important to note that both countries still maintain approximately 50,000 to 60,000 troops each along the LAC, indicating that a complete de-escalation of military presence is yet to be realized.
The recent discussions also align with a “stable, cooperative, and forward-looking” framework for future engagements, which was established after Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi in August. This framework encompasses initiatives such as ensuring border peace, reopening trade routes, and expanding bilateral investment opportunities.
Debuting at this Corps Commander-level meeting was the newly revived ‘General Level Mechanism’ in the Western Sector, a significant development since the 24th round of Special Representatives’ discussions in August.
From China’s perspective, a statement following the talks emphasized “active and in-depth communication” regarding the management of the western segment of the China-India border. It reinforced the mutual understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping to maintain ongoing dialogue through both military and diplomatic avenues, aimed at ensuring peace and preventing potential escalations.
The revival of various bilateral dialogue mechanisms, including military-level discussions, stemmed from the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. The resumption of these engagements signals a cautious yet firm return to structured diplomacy between the two influential Asian powers, with the goal of building trust, avoiding confrontation, and establishing long-term stability along the contested boundaries in eastern Ladakh.
