India, China Hold 23rd Corps Commander Talks at Moldo-Chushul on LAC
Militaries vow peace in high-stakes Ladakh talks.
The Indian and Chinese militaries conducted the 23rd round of Corps Commander-level discussions on October 25 at the Moldo-Chushul meeting point on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. China's defense ministry announced the development on Wednesday, highlighting active and in-depth exchanges focused on managing the western sector of the shared border. The talks mark the first high-level engagement since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, earlier this month.
According to the official Chinese readout, both sides committed to sustained communication through military and diplomatic channels, guided by the consensus reached between the two leaders. The agreement emphasizes joint efforts to preserve peace and tranquility along the disputed frontier. The statement reiterated the need to implement the understandings from the Modi-Xi meeting, which included resuming direct flights, data exchanges on trans-border rivers, and border trade.
Indian authorities have not issued any statement regarding the meeting, maintaining silence on the latest engagement. This round follows recent leadership-level agreements aimed at de-escalating tensions that have persisted since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers. The incident triggered a massive military buildup along the 3,488-kilometer frontier.
The talks underscore ongoing efforts to implement disengagement protocols and build confidence-building measures in sensitive areas. Previous rounds have addressed patrol arrangements, buffer zones, and infrastructure development restrictions to prevent misunderstandings. The 22nd round in February 2025 had resulted in partial disengagement from the Gogra-Hot Springs area, but friction points like Depsang Plains and Demchok remain unresolved.
The Moldo-Chushul meeting point has become the primary venue for such negotiations since 2020. Located in a high-altitude desert region, the facility features prefabricated structures where delegations from both sides convene under strict protocols. The Indian delegation is typically led by the Leh-based 14 Corps Commander, while China fields its South Xinjiang Military District chief.
While no immediate breakthroughs were detailed, the continuation of dialogue signals mutual interest in stabilizing the border situation amid broader bilateral relations. The mechanism remains crucial for managing one of Asia's most volatile flashpoints between two nuclear powers. The talks come against the backdrop of improving economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $136 billion in 2024 despite the military standoff.
Analysts note that the timing of the announcement—two days after the meeting—follows established patterns where China typically releases information first. The absence of Indian commentary aligns with New Delhi's policy of not publicizing working-level military talks until substantive outcomes are achieved. The next round is expected before the end of 2025 as both sides work to complete disengagement before winter sets in.
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