The relations between India and China deteriorated after a violent clash between the armies of both the countries in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed

New Delhi: In order to finalise modalities for the next phase of de-escalation and disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh, the Indian and Chinese military are holding the fourth round of Corps Commander-level talks on Tuesday. The high-level talks are being held in Chushul on the Indian side of Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Amid the disengagement process along the LAC, the Chinese People's Liberation Army troops have pulled back from Galwan Valley, Patrolling Point 15 and Hot Springs.

Not only the Chinese forces have pulled back from several frictional points along the LAC they have also reduced their presence in the ridge-line of Finger 4. New Delhi has been pressing hard that the Chinese troops should pull back from Finger 8 and Finger 4.

Tension between India and China escalated in eastern Ladakh after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on May 5 and 6 in Pangong Tso area. A similar face-off occurred in north Sikkim on May 9.

The relations between the two Asian giants further deteriorated after a violent clash between the armies of India and China in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in a ‘premeditated’ attack by the PLA.

The disengagement process started on June 6 after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi on June 5 spoke to each other and agreed that “maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas was essential for the further development of our bilateral relations” between the two neighbouring countries.

Amid the heightened tension between the two armies, Doval dand Wang had two-hour 'long frank and in-depth exchange of views' on the border buildup along the LAC.

Giving details of the high-level talks, MEA released a statement that read: "They (Doval and Wang) agreed that it was necessary to ensure at the earliest complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC and de-escalation from India-China border areas for full restoration of peace and tranquillity. In this regard they further agreed that both sides should complete the ongoing disengagement process along the LAC expeditiously. The two sides should also ensure a phased and step wise de-escalation in the India-China border areas. They re-affirmed that both sides should strictly respect and observe the line of actual control and should not take any unilateral action to alter the status quo and work together to avoid any incident in the future that could disturb peace and tranquillity in border areas”.