India, China army commanders meet to defuse border tensions

By ASHOK SHARMA
Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian and Chinese army commanders have discussed steps to disengage troops from key friction areas to ease a 17-month border standoff that has sometimes led to deadly clashes. An Indian army spokesman says the commanders met Sunday at Moldo on the Chinese side in the Ladakh area. No details were available . A Chinese military spokesperson said Monday that “the Indian side sticks to unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding difficulties to the negotiations.” Since February, both India and China have withdrawn troops from face-off sites on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso, Gogra and Galwan Valley, but they continue to maintain extra troops.