INDIA-21st Round Of Talks On LAC Held, Little Tangible Progress

(MNI) London - Wires reporting comments from the Chinese Defence Minstry regarding the 21st round of talks with India regarding the disputed border between the two nations in the Himalayas. States that the two sides "had active, in-depth and constructive communication on resolving border issues." The two sides "agreed to continue to maintain communication through military and diplomatic channels," adding "During this period, the two sides agreed to maintain peace and tranquility in the Sino-Indian border area."

• The Indian Express reports the talks emphasised "that a complete disengagement in the remaining areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh is the essential basis for restoring normalcy along the borders."
• Indian Express: "The last formal disengagement along the LAC took place in September 2022, [...] marking a step forward in the military standoff between the two sides which began in May 2020. Friction points [...] have seen some amount of resolution since the beginning of the current military standoff between India and China in 2020 with the creation of buffer zones along the LAC."
• While the comments emerging from both sides would appear to indicate a decline in tensions, the situation on the ground remain fraught with the risk of escalation. An estimated 50-60k troops remain deployed on each side of the border. While they do not carry firearms the risk of melee skirmishes is high and given both sides' evident efforts to reinforce their positions along the LAC, these skirmishes come with the prospect of sparking a wider conflagration.