US Welcomes India-China Border Breakthrough, But Refutes Any Role in Resolution

Washington: The United States has said that it welcomes any reduction in tension along the India-China border and noted that it has been briefed by New Delhi in this regard, news agency PTI reported. 

“We are closely following the developments (between India and China). We understand that both countries have taken initial steps to withdraw troops from friction points along the Line of Actual Control. We welcome any reduction in tensions along the border,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday.  

Responding to a question, Miller said that the US has played no role in this.

“We have talked to our Indian partners and been briefed on it, but we did not play any role in this resolution,” Miller said.  

India-China Border Truce 

Earlier this week, India announced it had reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, a breakthrough in ending the over four-year-long military standoff.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, EAM S Jaishankar said consensus has been achieved on patrolling and disengagement in Depsang and Demchok.

PM Modi-Xi Meet in Kazan

Prime Minister  Narendra Modi  held bilateral talks with Chinese Premiere Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. The icebreaker meeting happened just 72 hours after a big breakthrough in diplomatic and military talks, aimed at restoring the status quo that existed before May 2020, when tensions escalated following the military clash in Galwan.  Relations between India and China have deteriorated since the military standoff in Ladakh, primarily due to Beijing's unilateral actions that violated the Line of Actual Control (LAC).   

With inputs from PTI