India-China ties may see thaw four years after border skirmish froze relations
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. NEW DELHI—India and China have reached a breakthrough in discussions over their disputed Himalayan border, signaling room for improved ties after a high-altitude skirmish froze relations between the Asian giants. The two countries have arrived at an arrangement to resume patrolling along their de facto border, said India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday.
A spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry Tuesday confirmed an agreement related to border issues, without elaborating. Patrols by Indian and Chinese security forces along the border halted following a June 2020 clash between the nuclear-armed neighbors that saw security forces engage in hand-to-hand combat, resulting in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese personnel. “Over the last several weeks Indian and Chinese diplomatic and military negotiators have been in close contact with each other in a variety of forums," said Misri.
“We have reached an agreement on the issues that were being discussed." Misri said the agreement on patrolling, once implemented, could pave the way for disengagement. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said China would work with India to implement the agreements. Misri was speaking at a briefing on the eve of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Russia for the Brics summit—a bloc of emerging nations comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—which Chinese President Xi Jinping is also attending.
The announcements have raised expectations that Xi and Modi could meet on the sidelines of the summit. Asked about a possible bilateral meeting, Misri said Monday that Modi’s schedule was still being set up. The standoff severely damaged political and business relations
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