New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that peace along the India-China border is periodically affected when Chinese forces deviate from established patrolling patterns. The ministry stressed that both countries continue to rely on existing diplomatic and military channels to address unresolved issues and prevent misunderstandings along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a regular media briefing in New Delhi, reiterating that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border is essential for the broader development of bilateral relations.
Jaiswal also said that India and China had agreed to discuss ways to improve their understanding of the LAC in relevant areas to strengthen border management.
India Reaffirms Ladakh’s Territorial Status
The statement came amid a fresh exchange between New Delhi and Beijing over the identification of geographical locations in Ladakh. The Indian government recently identified 28 places and geographical features in the Union Territory using standardised names on the official Survey of India map.
According to the MEA, the exercise was undertaken in consultation with the Ladakh administration and local stakeholders to improve the accurate identification of these locations and increase public awareness of their geographical significance.
Reiterating India’s position, Jaiswal said Ladakh remains an integral and inalienable part of the country, adding that objections from China would not alter this established position.
The response followed remarks by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on October 13, who reportedly described India’s move to standardise the names of the 28 locations as “illegal and void.”
Border Stability Remains Key to Bilateral Relations
The latest comments come against the backdrop of continuing efforts by both countries to stabilise relations following the prolonged military stand-off that began in 2020.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said in September, during a visit to New York, that India-China relations had improved compared with 2025 and 2024. However, he cautioned that this recovery should not be interpreted as a fundamental change in the relationship, noting that the situation along the border would continue to influence the pace of normalisation.
The 2020 stand-off significantly affected regular engagement between the two countries, disrupting several areas of official contact even as bilateral trade continued. Subsequent steps towards stabilisation have enabled some exchanges to resume, but underlying differences remain.
Jaishankar has emphasised that a deterioration in relations would benefit neither country.
Modi-Xi Meeting Emphasised Peace and Dialogue
In September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The two leaders stressed that differences should not escalate into disputes and called for a strategic, long-term approach to bilateral relations.
Modi underlined that peace and tranquillity in the border areas were essential for the continued progress of ties between the two countries.
The MEA’s latest statement reinforces India’s position that stable border conditions, continued dialogue and effective use of diplomatic and military mechanisms are necessary to manage differences and prevent further escalation.
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