China, India to quickly de-escalate tensions at border: Chinese FM
CGTN
The talks led by China's Southern Xinjiang Military District chief and India's 14 Corps commander were held in the border area on the Chinese side, June 6, 2020. /Xinhua

The talks led by China's Southern Xinjiang Military District chief and India's 14 Corps commander were held in the border area on the Chinese side, June 6, 2020. /Xinhua

China and India will de-escalate the tensions at the border as soon as possible to restore and protect the peace and tranquility at border regions, complying with a consensus reached by two militaries, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

“The overall situation at the border of China and India is stable and currently under control,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at Thursday’s press conference responding to a question that if the tensions will continue to escalate.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi have discussed the issue with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday through phone calls, agreeing on de-escalation of the situation.

Zhao said that the tensions at the Galvan Valley area were already easing as the two sides have reached consensus after the commander-level talks between the two militaries in early June.

The incident on Monday night was provoked by Indian troops who crossed the Line of Actual Control and even violently attacked the Chinese officers and soldiers who went to the site to negotiate, thus triggering fierce physical conflicts between the two sides and causing casualties, the spokesperson stressed. 

However, Zhao said, it is believed that the two countries can properly handle the situation guided by both countries’ leadership, and thus foster the development of the bilateral relationship in a healthy and stable way.