India detained the Chinese soldier after he crossed a de facto disputed border in the western Himalayas.
China’s official military newspaper has said that India has returned a Chinese soldier who had strayed across a de facto disputed border in the western Himalayan region, where both sides have been caught in a tense standoff.
The soldier was surrendered early Wednesday morning, according to the report by PLA Daily, a state media outlet.
Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the state-backed Global Times, also confirmed the return of the soldier, saying the move “brings an optimistic message to the tense China-India border.”
He added: “It is hoped that the cooperation can turn into greater mutual trust between the two.”
The Indian side returned the Chinese soldier who got lost in the border area to the Chinese side early Wednesday morning. His safe return brings an optimistic message to the tense border between China and India. It is hoped that the cooperation can turn into more mutual trust between the two.
– Hu Xijin 胡锡 进 (@HuXijin_GT) October 21, 2020
India and China have amassed thousands of troops in the region after a deadly clash in June.
Nuclear-armed neighbors have been locked in a months-long border clash in the Ladakh region, with troops killing each other in hand-to-hand combat and firing shots into the air. Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in the fierce fighting.
China is also believed to have suffered casualties, but has not provided details. He also detained at least 10 Indian soldiers, including four officers, after the deadly brawl. They were returned three days later after intense military and diplomatic negotiations.
In a statement on Monday, the Indian side said it had “detained” a Chinese soldier who it identified as Wang Ya Long and said he would be released after “completing the formalities.”
The Chinese Defense Ministry said late Monday that the missing soldier had been helping herders gather yaks when he went missing Sunday night. The statement also called for the soldier’s release as soon as possible to “maintain peace and tranquility” at the border.
India and China have each stationed tens of thousands of troops, backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets, in the region since the June battle, despite several rounds of talks.
Analysts say both sides are preparing for a long, tough winter showdown in the north.
The tensions have also spread to civilian life, with some Indian nationalists demanding a boycott of Chinese products and the government banning a large number of social media apps from its main rival.
India is also seeking closer security ties with other countries that are wary of China’s growing military might.
Australia announced Tuesday that it will participate, for the first time, in naval exercises with India, Japan and the United States in the Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile, Indian Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. SK Saini is in the United States to talk and search for other equipment for use in the border clash with China, government sources said.
