They agreed to launch a "hotline"

Talks between India and China to resolve the border clash

Chinese forces on the border with India during a border military disengagement.

A.F.B.

The foreign ministers of India and China discussed in a telephone conversation the current situation of disengagement between the two countries' forces at friction points on the disputed border in the Himalayas, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement yesterday.

The statement stated that the two ministers agreed to launch a "hotline" in order to maintain communication between the two countries.

The two countries have fought a military confrontation against each other on the de facto Line of Control in the eastern border region of Ladakh since last May.

There was also a fist fight between Indian and Chinese forces last June, which resulted in casualties from both sides.

This incident prompted the two countries to mobilize more troops and artillery on the effective line of control.

Several rounds of military and diplomatic talks earlier this month achieved a breakthrough, with an agreement on a gradual withdrawal of forces.

During the 75-minute telephone conversation, the day before yesterday, Indian Foreign Minister Subramanyam Gishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi expressed their satisfaction with the completion of the first phase of disengagement between the two countries' forces on the banks of Panjung Tsu Lake, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs statement.

Jishankar said it was important to pursue disengagement at all friction points in the sector, while the Chinese foreign minister made clear that the two sides should make efforts to consolidate results.

The Indian Foreign Minister also indicated that developments along the actual Line of Control had a severe impact on the bilateral relations over the past year, stressing that restoring peace is necessary to achieve progress in relations.

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Rounds of talks achieved a breakthrough earlier this month.

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