- By Shivam Shandilya
- Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:10 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, on Wednesday expressed hope that the recently completed India-China border disengagement in Eastern Ladakh would smooth the relations between the two countries and it will also pave the way for a better understanding between the two neighbours in the days ahead. According to news agency PTI, speaking at a session organised by the Merchant Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, the diplomat also called the recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit at Kazan in Russia 'very important'.
He responded to a question on the India-China border disengagement in the Depsang and Demchok regions of Eastern Ladakh where Army patrolling is expected to start soon, the Chinese Ambassador said, “I hope that under the guidance of this consensus, relations will be moving forward smoothly in the future and not be restricted and interrupted by specific disagreements between the two sides. The most important thing is how to handle the differences.”
The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Xi was held on October 23.
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"The meeting was constructive and carried great significance. The two sides reached a series of common understandings, including strengthening communication and cooperation, enhancing strategic mutual trust, holding talks between our foreign ministers and officials at various levels to bring the relationship back to sound and steady development," he said.
The Chinese envoy also added that the meeting made good us of the Special Representatives mechanism on the India-China boundary issue to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas, and find a fair and reasonable solution, to safeguard common interests of the developing countries.
Not Small Development, Achieved Success After Prolonged Efforts: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that this is not a small development and after prolonged efforts, the country has achieved success. He also met Army jawans at Meghna Stadium in Tezpur, Assam. The Defence Minister also celebrated Diwali, ate meals, and lit diyas with the soldiers.
India, China Disengagement Process Completed In Eastern Ladakh
The disengagement process between India and Chinese troops at the Depsang and Demchok areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh completed on Wednesday, reports news agency ANI quoting sources.
"Coordinated patrolling to start soon by both sides. Ground commanders will continue to hold talks. Exchange of sweets on Diwali to happen tomorrow," they stated. The sources further said the troop pull-back was being verified.
The coordinated patrolling modalities at Demchok and Depsang, which were the last remaining friction points in a long-standing border conflict, will be decided between the ground commanders of both sides, ANI's sources said. "Ground commanders are officers of the rank of Brigadiers and below," they added.
The conclusion of the process came days after India and China announced that they had reached an agreement to end the military standoff that had been causing strains in bilateral ties since mid-2020. New Delhi had announced the border agreement on October 21. The development was confirmed by Beijing the following day.
(With input from agencies)