India and China recently held a new round of military talks aimed at maintaining peace and security along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This Corps Commander-level meeting took place at the Moldo-Chushul border point, on the Indian side of the frontier, on October 25. The meeting marked the first interaction between the two militaries since the Special Representatives’ talks in August between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Details of the Meeting
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the talks were conducted in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. Both sides acknowledged the progress made since the 22nd round of Corps Commander-level talks in October 2024. They agreed that peace and tranquility had been maintained in the India-China border areas.
“The two sides agreed to continue using existing mechanisms to resolve any ground issues along the border to maintain stability,” the MEA statement read.
Steps Toward Normalizing Relations
In recent months, India and China have taken several measures to normalize their relations, especially after the four-year military standoff along the LAC in eastern Ladakh that concluded in October last year. The standoff ended after the completion of the disengagement process at the final two friction points, Demchok and Depsang.
Following the Special Representatives’ talks in August 2025, which took place after Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi, both countries introduced a series of measures aimed at fostering a “stable, cooperative, and forward-looking” relationship. These included maintaining peace along the border, reopening border trade, and promoting investment flows.
Significance of the Latest Talks
This Corps Commander-level meeting marked the first session of the ‘General Level Mechanism’ in the Western Sector since the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks held on August 19, 2025. The MEA stated that both sides discussed managing the western section of the China-India border in active and in-depth communication.
A Chinese defense ministry readout confirmed that both countries agreed to continue communication and dialogue through military and diplomatic channels, as guided by the important consensus reached by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Troop Presence Along the LAC
While troops have been disengaged from key friction points, the overall situation has not yet fully de-escalated. Both India and China still maintain large military presences along the LAC, with each side having approximately 50,000 to 60,000 troops stationed in the eastern Ladakh region.
The military standoff, which began in May 2020, was further strained by a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. This resulted in a significant deterioration in relations between the two countries.
Future of Dialogue Mechanisms
The decision to revive various dialogue mechanisms between India and China was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. This commitment has led to further efforts to stabilize the border situation and foster a more cooperative relationship.
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