New Delhi- In a gesture of goodwill, Indian and Chinese soldiers exchanged sweets and greetings at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point in eastern Ladakh on Diwali, continuing a tradition despite ongoing disengagement efforts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

This exchange comes as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Thursday that disengagement efforts along the LAC are nearing completion. Singh, speaking at the inauguration of the Bob Khathing Museum in Assam's Tezpur, highlighted the recent consensus between India and China to restore the ground situation based on mutual security. He emphasized that ongoing diplomatic and military discussions aim to resolve lingering border conflicts, stating, "We strive not only for disengagement but also to restore peace along the border."

Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that while differences are inevitable between neighboring countries, resolving them is crucial to their relationship. Xu expressed hope for expanded cooperation in politics, trade, and education, citing disengagement in Depsang and Demchok.

The LAC standoff, which began in 2020, has strained relations between the two nations. General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff, emphasizes a phased approach of disengagement, de-escalation, and buffer zone management to restore trust along the LAC and return to the April 2020 status quo.