Indian Army returns 'stranded' PLA soldier to China; Chinese media responds positively

A Chinese People's Liberation Army soldier, who was apprehended by Indian Army after he strayed across Line of Actual Control on Monday, was returned to China by Indian Army on Wednesday early morning in Chunshul-Moldo, sources said. Mouthpiece media of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Global Times has confirmed development.

" Indian army's decision to return  Chinese soldier is viewed as a positive sign ahe of eighth round of China-India commander-level talks this week," mouthpiece said.

'China hopes that India will...'

According to Indian Army, soldier identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long h strayed across LAC in Demchok. He would be returned after completion of formalities, Army h stated.  incident came amid a massive deployment of troops by two militaries in region following border standoff since May. China on Tuesday expressed hope that its missing soldier apprehended by Indian Army in eastern Lakh will be released soon.

"China hopes that India will hand over soon Chinese soldier who got lost in China-India border areas on evening of October 18 when helping local herdsmen retrieve a yak at ir request," said Senior Colonel Zhang Shuili, spokesperson for Western ater Command of PLA said in a statement on Monday night.

" PLA border troops informed Indian military right after incident and hoped Indian side would aid in search and rescue, and Indian side promised to offer help and return missing soldier timely after finding him, he said. latest information from Indian side is that lost Chinese soldier has been found and will be handed over to Chinese side after receiving medical examination, Col. Zhang said.

"We hope that Indian side will live up to its promise to hand over missing Chinese soldier as soon as possible and implement consensus reached by two sides in 7th round of Senior Commanders meeting, so as to maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas," Zhang said.

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Chinese soldier interrogated by Army: Sources

Indian Army provided Chinese solider with medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clos to protect him from vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions. According to PTI sources, PLA soldier was kept at an Army formation and was interrogated on how he crossed over to Indian side. Both Indian and Chinese armies have deployed over 50,000 troops each along LAC in eastern Lakh including in Demchok sector following escalation of five-month-long military standoff that began in early May.

seventh round of talks was held on October 12. re was breakthrough on disengment of troops from friction points so far. India has all along been maintaining that onus is on China to carry forward process of disengment and de-escalation at friction points in mountaius region.

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(With PTI inputs)