China and India agree to work on solution to their border dispute in the Himalayas

BEIJING, China (AP) — China and India agreed Wednesday to work toward a solution to their long-running that began with a deadly clash in 2020.

The development follows the two Asian giants reached in October, which finally broke a stalemate that started with . The clash was the first deadly confrontation between India and China since 1975 and sent tensions soaring.

A statement from China’s Foreign Ministry after talks between the special representatives on border issues — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval — said the two sides would seek "fair and reasonable” solutions and formulate a roadmap, undertaking the easier steps first and dealing with the tough ones later.

The October border pact was followed days later by a , their first in five years.

Wang and Doval called for continued implementation of the border patrol agreement and said the two countries would strengthen cross-border exchanges, including the resumption of trips by Indian pilgrims to Tibet, the Chinese statement said.