Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg when they reviewed developments in a bilateral relationship since their last meeting in November.

They discussed issues related to management of peace and tranquility in border areas.

The meeting took place months after the two sides ended face-off on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Speaking about the meeting, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "The two ministers reviewed developments in a bilateral relationship since their last meeting in November. Specifically, the management of peace and tranquility in border areas, Kailash-Mansarovar-Yatra resumption, trans-border rivers, flight connectivity and travel facilitation were discussed."

Galwan Clash

The Galwan skirmish, which had deteriorated bonds between the two neighbours in recent years, erupted from a dispute over a temporary bridge built by the Chinese in the Galwan River valley in Ladakh.

On June 15, 2020, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a six-hour clash in the rugged terrain of Ladakh, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with makeshift weapons such as stones, batons, and iron rods.

The face-off occurred in near-complete darkness and freezing temperatures, leading to fatalities as soldiers fell or were pushed from ridges.

Twenty Indian soldiers were martyred in the clash, while China officially acknowledged four casualties, although reports indicate higher Chinese losses, as soldiers drowned in the choppy waters of the Galwan River.