India-China 15th round border-talks scheduled on March 11

New Delhi: The 15th round of India-China Corps commander-level talks on the border issues has been scheduled on March 11, The Indian Express reported.

The two nations focused on reaching a resolution of instability in the dispute areas. According to sources, recent statements from both sides, indicating mutually acceptable solutions, have been positive.

India and China had a lengthy standoff at the eastern Ladakh border after a violent conflict between their militaries happened in the Pangong lake region. After that, both sides had enhanced deployment along the area, including personnel and heavy arms.

It was only after many rounds of talks both sides withdrew their deployments in Gogra and the north and south banks of Pangong lake.

On January 12, both the nations held the 14th round of talks and agreed to maintain dialogue through diplomacy and military, ultimately working out a mutually acceptable solution for remaining issues in eastern Ladakh.

In the last round of talks in January, an agreement on disengagement from Hot Springs has not been reached but assured that they would meet again soon. Through a joint statement, the two sides conveyed that they would consolidate earlier outcomes and stay in close touch.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had said that China and India had encountered "setbacks" in recent years, serving against the fundamental interests of the two countries. He had urged for a resolution on boundary issues through consultation in a "fair and equitable" settlement. He had added that specific forces always sparked the tensions between India and China, making a veiled reference to the US. China and India should rather be partners than rivals, he had added.

Last month, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said that India-China ties are going through a "very difficult phase" at the moment. This was after China brought back forces to borders, violating agreements.