Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh accuses China of violating bilateral border agreements.
Thousands of soldiers from both sides have been stationed along the disputed border in the eastern Ladakh region.
The dispute is a result of a clash three years ago that resulted in the death of 20 Indian troops and four Chinese personnel.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh accuses China of violating bilateral border agreements during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Li Shangfu.
The situation is a reference to the nearly three-year-long standoff between the two countries that involves thousands of soldiers that are stationed along the disputed border in the eastern Ladakh region.
India Accuses China of Violating Border Agreements
Singh's meeting with Li was filled with "frank discussions about the developments in the India-China border areas." The two officials also talked about bilateral relations between China and India, said the latter's Defense Minister on Thursday.
The Indian official told his Chinese counterpart that the development of the two countries' relations is premised on peace and tranquility at the borders. He noted that all border issues must first be addressed in accordance with current agreements and commitments, as per Aljazeera.
New Delhi said that the deployment of a large number of Chinese military troops, as well as their aggressive behavior and attempts to alter the border status quo, were in direct violation of agreements between the two countries. Singh noted that these violations have eroded the basis of their bilateral relations.
The origin of the border tensions between China and India comes from a clash that occurred three years ago. During that incident in the Ladakh region, 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troop members were killed.
That situation eventually erupted into a long-running standoff between the two countries' troops in the rugged mountainous area. Both parties have chosen to station tens of thousands of military personnel as well as artillery, tanks, and fighter jets in the region.
Since then, the two nations have had several other confrontations of military troops, the most recent of which was a flare-up that occurred in December at Tawang in the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, according to BBC.
Addressing Relations Issues
On Tuesday, China's Defense Ministry said that Li would address the conference in New Delhi and personally meet with the heads of delegations from relevant countries. He would communicate and exchange views on the various issues of the international and regional situation as well regarding defense and security cooperation.
The two ministers' meeting came a few days after China and India concluded the 18th round of military negotiations in an attempt to address the dispute along the border. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was also expected to attend the meeting held in New Delhi in person while Pakistan's Khawaja Asif would be joining virtually.
The two nations have already ordered the withdrawal of troops from some areas near the border, specifically on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso, Gogra, and Galwan Valley. However, they still maintain a military presence that is awaiting orders as part of a multi-tier deployment.
Chinese- and Indian-held territories are separated by a Line of Actual Control that affects Ladakh in the West up to Arunachal Pradesh. China claims the entirety of the latter region to be a part of its territory, said the Associated Press.
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