India and China will persist with military and diplomatic engagements to resolve the situation and ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the latest round of border talks on Friday between Army commanders ended in a stalemate.
“Talks took place in a cordial and positive atmosphere. Both sides agreed to peacefully resolve the situation in the border areas in accordance with various bilateral agreements,’’ it said in a statement released on Sunday.
The MEA indicated that both sides were in for a long haul and that despite bringing in military reinforcements, the focus would be on dialogue. In this respect, it reiterated its earlier stand of May 21 that “peace and tranquillity in the India-China border regions is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.”
While Indian media has prominently highlighted the standoff, its Chinese counterparts have refrained from it. However, ‘Global Times’ released a video that supposedly showed a Chinese airborne brigade taking just a few hours to maneuver from central China to “northwestern region amid border tension”.
In for a long haul
- The MEA indicates India and China are in for a long haul, and despite the military presence, the focus will be on talks
- The ministry reiterates its earlier stand of maintaining “peace and tranquillity in the India-China border region”
- During talks, the Army commanders noted that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries
- The commanders agreed that an early resolution would contribute to the further development of the relationship_(TNS)
