India, China agree to peacefully resolve standoff in western Himalayas

After talks between top military officers, India and China have agreed to peacefully resolve the standoff between the two armies in the western Himalayas, in accordance with various bilateral agreements.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry said in a statement this morning that "India and China have agreed to peacefully resolve the situation in the border areas in accordance with various bilateral agreements and keeping in view the agreement between the leaders that peace and tranquility in the India-China border regions is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations."

"Accordingly, the two sides will continue the military and diplomatic engagements to resolve the situation and to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas," it said a day after a Lt Gen-level meeting was held between the Indian Corps Commander based in Leh, India,  and the Chinese Commander in Chushul-Moldo region in the Himalayas yesterday.

The meeting took place "in a cordial and positive atmosphere," said the statement.

The armies of the two countries have been locked in a more than month-long faceoff in eastern Ladakh.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry said that in recent weeks, India and China have maintained communications through established diplomatic and military channels to address the situation in areas along the India-China border.

"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 the further development of the relationship," according to the statement.