This was the first round of talks between India and China since the Tawang clash on December 9

India and China have agreed to maintain security and stability on the ground and continue dialogue through military and diplomatic channels to resolve outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector (Eastern Ladakh region).

This decision was taken during the 17th round of Corp Commanders’ meet between the Indian Army and China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at the Chushul-Mondo border meeting point on the Chinese side on Tuesday (December 20).

According to the Joint Press Release issued on Thursday, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector.

They 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.

Building on the progress made after the last meeting on 17 July 2022, the two sides exchanged views on the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in an open and constructive manner, the Joint Press Release added.

They had a frank and in-depth discussion, keeping in line with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest which would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations, the Joint Press release said.

This was the first round of talks between India and China since the Tawang clash on December 9 during which hundreds of PLA soldiers were driven back by the Indian Army when they attempted to intrude across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh.

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) forces had attempted to cross the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh's Yangtse region on December 9 in an effort to change the status quo, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had informed the Rajya Sabha on December 13. The Indian military had, however, driven the Chinese troops back.

In June 2020, a tense standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Eastern Ladakh had led to a violent face-off in Galwan Valley. Twenty Indian soldiers had lost their lives. A large number of Chinese troops were also killed though China has never officially confirmed the actual number of deaths.

Multiple rounds of talks since then have led to a disengagement at several points in that region.