The Indian Army (IA) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) held the 18th round of military talks on 23rd April 2023 to ease tensions along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) where the two sides have been engaged in a border row for almost three years.
Notably, there is no commonly delineated Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the border areas between India and China, there are areas along the LAC where both sides have differing perception of LAC. Due to both sides undertaking patrolling up to their respective perception of the LAC, transgressions do occur.
The two sides last held the Corps Commander level talks in December 2022 to discuss outstanding issues along the border. In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.
Worth mentioning, the India-China border row is set to enter its fourth year in early May. Despite four rounds of disengagement from Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso, Gogra (PP-17A) and Hot Springs (PP-15), the Indian and Chinese armies still have more than 60,000 troops each and advanced weaponry deployed in the Ladakh theatre.
The Indian and Chinese armies have held 18 rounds of talks so far, but problems at Depsang in Daulet Beg Oldi sector and Charding Nullah Junction (CNJ) in Demchok sector are still on the negotiating table. Outstanding issues were discussed but the outcome wasn’t known.
