India and China reached an agreement this week on patrolling their border, paving the way for the first formal talks between their leaders in five years in Russia.
Troops from both sides have started withdrawing from the Depsang and Demchok areas, the site of the last standoff between the two sides, after reaching a patrolling agreement, sources said.
The source declined to be named as he was not authorized to speak to the media. India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a media request for comment.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said: “According to the solution recently reached between China and India on relevant border issues, the frontline troops of both sides are carrying out relevant work and the progress is smooth” According to Reuters.
Neither side disclosed details of the new agreement, but it is expected to help improve political and business relations damaged by a deadly military conflict in 2020.
The two countries have withdrawn troops from five similar standoff points since 2020, with the last withdrawal two years ago.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to strengthen communication and cooperation to advance a resolution to the conflict.
China and India went to war in 1962 over their undemarcated border, an issue that has long been a hurdle in relations between the two countries.
