India, China discuss border standoff for 13 hours

The Indian side led by Leh based Fire & Fury Corps commander Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, firmly conveyed India's position on disengagement in the remaining friction areas during the 13 hour long talks, top security sources said.

The Corps Commander level talks on the border standoff were held on the Chinese side of the Chushul-Moldo meeting point.

The outcome of the talks is discussed among top echelons in the defence, security and foreign affairs set-ups before a formal statement is issued to the media.

The firmness of the Indian side was reflected during the annual press briefing by Army Chief Gen MM Naravane ahead of Army Day on Jan 15.

"What happens and whether the situation escalates or not is difficult to predict. But whatever we have done so far, we are in a position to meet whatever is thrown at us in the future.

"I can assure you that war or conflict is always an instrument of last resort. But if resorted to, we will come out victorious," the Army Chief said during a virtual interaction with defence correspondents ahead of Army Day on Jan 15.

Meanwhile, China's state affiliated media platform China Daily, in its latest editorial, has written that the "US is trying to drive a wedge between India and China and India must not be led astray by such remarks and should engage in the talks with sincerity and strive to meet China half way so that both countries can work together to solve their border disputes."

"Adding to the difficulties for the two sides to achieve progress in the talks is interference from the US which is trying hard to drive a wedge between China and India.

"Responding to a question on the India-China border dispute during a press briefing on Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had described China as a threat to regional security with its "attempts to intimidate its neighbors", she added: We'll continue to stand with our partners on that," read the China Daily editorial.