Indian and Chinese armies have been locked in a bitter deadlock in eastern Ladakh for more than 8 weeks
New Delhi:
Peaceful resolution of the India-China border is crucial for regional and global stability, senior European Union (EU) officials said on Tuesday a day before a virtual summit between India’s leaders and the group of 27 nations.
Officials said the EU was keeping an eye on the border deadlock between the two “powerful” countries and hoped that the two sides would continue to dialogue to find a peaceful solution to their differences.
The 15th EU-India Summit takes place in the middle of the bitter border between India and China in eastern Ladakh.
The Indian delegation to the summit will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the European part will be chaired by the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The EU is a strategically important region for India.
“We are pleased to see that since the very deadly clashes took place on the real line of control, the two sides have committed to exercise restraint and engage in military de-escalation as well as in dialogue”, said one of the EU members. officials.
Reports have shown withdrawal of troops from both sides of key areas, and diplomatic and military efforts have “de-escalating effects,” he said, adding that the 27-nation bloc supports relations. good neighborly relations between India and China.
“India and China are two powerful countries globally. The peaceful resolution of their differences is crucial for regional and global stability,” said another official.
“We have certainly received detailed information on how each of the two governments has seen clashes at the border. They are talking to each other now. We are delighted to see him,” added the official.
Asked whether the India-China border line will be in the talks on Wednesday, officials did not give a direct response, but said regional and global issues of general importance are usually in the talks. .
Officials said relations with countries like China, the United States, and Russia are important and are usually featured in the talks.
The Indian and Chinese armies have been locked in a bitter deadlock in several places in eastern Ladakh for more than eight weeks since May 5.
Tensions escalated after violent clashes in the Galwan Valley on June 15 in which 20 Indian army personnel were killed in action.
However, after a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides began a process of mutual disengagement on July 6 and withdrew their troops from most points of friction. The two sides are now entering talks on a further de-escalation of tensions and the restoration of peace and tranquility in eastern Ladakh.
The EU as a whole was India’s largest trading partner in 2018. India’s bilateral trade with the EU in 2018-2019 was $ 115.6 billion with exports valued at 57 , $ 17 billion and imports at $ 58.42 billion.
