After a more than 15 hours long meeting on September 22 2020, India and China ‘five points of agreement’ were set forth in the sixth round of talks between the senior military commanders. Both the sides agreed to strengthen communication ties, avoid actions that would escalate tensions between the two countries and refrain from sending more troops to the border.

 

·Since 5 May 2020, Chinese and Indian troops have engaged in aggressive skirmishes at locations along the Sino-Indian border, including the disputed Pangong Lake in Ladakh and the Tibet Autonomous Region, and near the border between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region. 

·Additional clashes also took place at locations in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

·In May, Chinese forces objected to Indian road construction in the Galwan River valley. According to Indian sources, fighting in June 2020 resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and casualties of 43 Chinese soldiers.

 

The process of dialogue between the nations is vital especially when the two have strained relations. This meeting between the two foreign ministers was an attempt to break the state of impasse as series of talks have taken place earlier at multiple levels without yielding any results.

 

·the consensus to not allow differences to become disputes

·disengaging quickly to ease tensions.

·abiding by the existing India-China border protocols and avoiding escalatory action.

·continuing the dialogue between the Special Representatives, National Security Adviser as well as the other mechanisms.

·working towards new confidence-building measures (CBMs).

 

These points reiterate the process of dialogue, disengagement, and easing of the situation. These have earlier been dealt with in the previous five agreements like: 

·1993 ‘Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility Agreement’ 

·1996 ‘Confidence Building Measures’ 

·2005 ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ 

·2012 ‘Process of Consultation and Cooperation’

·2013 ‘Border Cooperation Agreement’