New Delhi: The Indian Army has started patrolling in Demchok on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, while verification patrolling has also started in Depsang, which has been the center of dispute for the last four and a half years.

However, there is no consensus yet on starting Special Representative (SR) level talks to find a long-term and permanent solution to the current border dispute between the two countries. The Special Representative level talks are to be led by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Talks can also take place at the level of foreign ministers

Apart from this, there is no information about the talks to be held at the level of foreign ministers on other issues related to the bilateral relations of the two countries. There are indications that any progress in this regard will be made only in the beginning of next year. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 'After the agreement on military withdrawal with China, verification patrolling has been started. This is happening on the basis of the consensus reached between the two countries. More information will be given about this later.'

He said that in the talks held between the top leaders of the two countries in Kazan, Russia recently, it was decided that discussions will begin at the level of foreign ministers and other officials to strengthen bilateral relations. Further information on this will also be given.
China's attitude of maintaining dialogue

Diplomatic sources say that the decision on the future strategy will now be taken in the talks to be held at the level of foreign ministers of the two countries. Both sides are exploring the possibility of a meeting between Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi soon. The Indian side is also optimistic about the start of talks at the special representative level.

Talks have been going on at this level since 2003 and 22 rounds of talks have been held so far. Its objective is to find a permanent solution to the current border dispute between the two countries. Diplomatic sources say that despite 22 rounds of talks, there has been no significant progress. China's attitude is only to maintain the talks.