India and China Commit to Urgent Disengagement in Eastern Ladakh

India and China have agreed to work urgently towards complete disengagement in remaining friction areas in Eastern Ladakh. NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reached this consensus during talks in St Petersburg, on the sidelines of a BRICS meeting, to stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations.

India and China have pledged to urgently redouble efforts towards achieving complete disengagement at remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh. This agreement was reached in a meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held in St Petersburg during a BRICS national security advisors' conclave.

Doval emphasized the necessity of peace and respect for the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for the normalization of bilateral relations, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The dialogue provided both sides an opportunity to review efforts for early resolution of the standoff that began in May 2020.

The MEA underscored the importance of fully abiding by past agreements and protocols. Both nations agreed that their bilateral relationship holds significant implications for the region and the world at large, and exchanged views on global and regional situations. This meeting follows recent diplomatic talks aimed at intensifying contacts through both diplomatic and military channels.

(With inputs from agencies.)