MOSCOW, July 4 (Bernama-Sputnik) -- India and China have agreed to reinforce meetings at the diplomatic and military levels to resolve the remaining territorial disputes in the border areas, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Thursday, following an engagement with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Astana, according to Sputnik.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of States is taking place in the Kazakh capital of Astana from July 3-4.
"Met with Communist Party of China (CPC) Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Astana this morning. Discussed early resolution of remaining issues in border areas. Agreed to redouble efforts through diplomatic and military channels to that end. Respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and ensuring peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential." Jaishankar wrote on the social media platform X.
The parties reaffirmed their commitment to mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest, the minister added.
India and China have been embroiled in several disputes over land stretching along their 2,200-mile border, most notably over the Himalayan territory of Ladakh, which is also claimed in part by Pakistan. India and China fought a war over the region in 1962, followed by a deadly flare-up in 2020.
In 2021, the two countries negotiated a gradual and bilateral pullback of troops from the unofficial border known as the LAC. As negotiations continue, 50,000–60,000 troops are still deployed on both sides of the India-China border in the Himalayas.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the SCO member states confirmed their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes, according to the Astana Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO adopted on Thursday.
"They reaffirm their commitment to the peaceful settlement of differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultations. Member states shall not participate in the adoption of any decisions aimed at interfering in internal affairs and contrary to international law," the document said.
-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK
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