India and China have completely withdrawn their troops from the disputed territory along the Himalayan border, a joint statement from the Indian ministry of defence announced on Sunday.
Forces from both side were withdrawn from the Pangong Tso Lake area following the tenth round of talks between commanders from both sides on Saturday. The two sides aim to “push for a mutually acceptable resolution” to their remaining issues and “jointly maintain peace and tranquility.”
“On February 20, the 10th round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting was held on the Chinese side of the Moldo/Chushul border meeting point,” the statement from the Indian ministry said. “The two sides positively appraised the smooth completion of disengagement of frontline troops in the Pangong Lake area noting that it was a significant step forward that provided a good basis for resolution of other remaining issues along the LAC in Western Sector.”
“The two sides agreed to follow the important consensus of their state leaders, continue their communication and dialogue, stabilize and control the situation on the ground, push for a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues in a steady and orderly manner, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” the statement added.
India and China have been involved in a border dispute for decades and also went to war in 1962, since when the border remains undefined. Forces from both sides were involved in a face-off since last year, with a clash at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) leading to the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in June 2020.
