New Delhi: In a veiled reference to the border standoff with China, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on Monday said legacy issues and differences need to be resolved through mutual consent and dialogue, and not by unilateral actions.
In his address at a symposium, Gen MM Naravane, however, noted that there were positive developments with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that led to the disengagement of troops in Pangong lake areas in eastern Ladakh.
The Army Chief also said that the recent comments of Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong "to avoid relapse and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in border areas" augurs well for the future of India-China relations.
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Talking about regional developments, he referred to the renewed commitment by the armies of India and Pakistan to follow the 2003 ceasefire on the Line of Control(LoC), saying it bodes well for the future.
"We have recently entered into a ceasefire understanding with Pakistan Army in February this year, and since then there has been no exchange of fire on an otherwise active LoC. This bodes well for the future," he said.
"With China too, there have been positive developments along the LAC, an area where both countries have differing perceptions on the alignment of the land borders. This has led to the disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh," he added.
Gen Naravane also mentioned the 11th round of Corps commander-level talks between the armies of India and China and hoped to "settle another border" issues through further negotiations.
The military standoff between India and China that erupted on May 5 last at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh has significantly strained bilateral ties.
As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, India and China completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February.
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