Indian and Chinese military commanders have reaffirmed their commitment to maintain peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, agreeing to use existing mechanisms to resolve any ground issues. The announcement follows the 23rd round of Corps Commander-level talks, held on October 25, 2025, at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point.This was the first Corps Commander-level meeting since the October 2024 understanding to end the standoff in the Ladakh sector. The talks, conducted in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, reviewed progress since the 22nd round of talks in October 2024. Both sides noted that peace and tranquillity have been maintained in the India-China border areas since the disengagement.A readout from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated:

“Both sides agreed to continue to use existing mechanisms to resolve any ground issues along the border to maintain stability.”

China’s Defence Ministry described the dialogue as “active and in-depth communication on the management of the western section” of the India-China border. Both sides agreed to continue communication and dialogue through military and diplomatic channels, guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to safeguard peace and tranquillity.Background: Disengagement and Bilateral TiesThe meeting comes after the October 21, 2024 understanding on disengagement at the “friction points” of Demchok and Depsang, which effectively ended the Ladakh standoff that had begun in April–May 2020. The standoff included the Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, taking bilateral relations to their lowest point in six decades.Following the disengagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Kazan, Russia, agreeing to revive key mechanisms, including talks between Special Representatives, to address border issues and normalise relations.Since then, both countries have undertaken confidence-building measures such as reviving the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and resuming direct flights after a five-year hiatus.Continued Troop PresenceDespite these positive developments, tens of thousands of troops remain deployed by both sides in the Ladakh sector. There have been no forward moves toward further de-escalation or withdrawal, indicating that while stability has been restored, the forces-on-ground posture remains cautious.The talks underscore the ongoing importance of military and diplomatic channels in managing the long-standing border dispute between India and China and ensuring that incidents along the LAC do not escalate into larger conflicts.In sum, the meeting reflects steady but cautious progress in maintaining peace along one of the world’s most sensitive borders, with both sides committed to continued engagement and dialogue to avoid disruptions to stability in the region.

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