India, China hold senior military commander-level talks on both sides of border; first such meet in Arunachal

India and China held two senior military commander-level flag meetings on September 6 and 7, including their first such meeting in Arunachal Pradesh, with one session taking place on the Indian side and the other on the Chinese side, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

The first meeting was held at Vacha on the Indian side in Arunachal Pradesh on September 6, while the second took place at Damai on the Chinese side on September 7, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“Pursuant to the understandings reached between the Special Representatives of India and China in August 2025 and August 2026, and subsequent discussions at the working mechanisms for consultation and coordination, the WMCC mechanism that we have, meetings of which were held in Beijing and New Delhi in May and August 2026, respectively, the first senior highest military commander-level flag meeting was held at Vacha on the Indian side in Arunachal Pradesh on 6 September and at Damai on the Chinese side on 7 September,” Jaiswal said.


“So, that is what I have to share. And a similar mechanism, let me share, also exists in the western sector,” he added.

India, China's first military level talks in Arunachal Pradesh

ET had reported Monday on one of the meetings, held at the Vacha-Damai border point, near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and close to Kibithu. The Indian side was led by Lt Gen Girish Kalia, commander of the Army's 3 Corps.

Notably, Corps Commander-level talks had not previously been held in Arunachal Pradesh. Such senior-level military engagement between India and China began after the 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh, which included a deadly clash between troops of the two countries.

The latest meeting also follows the August 26 boundary delimitation and border management discussions in Beijing between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

At those talks, the two sides had agreed to establish two additional meeting points for Corps Commander-level discussions beyond Ladakh, including the one in Arunachal Pradesh used on September 6, according to the report. They had also agreed to establish two additional channels for military hotlines in the eastern and middle sectors, including Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Regular meetings between Indian and Chinese troops deployed at forward positions take place to address local issues, including perceived transgressions, people or cattle crossing the LAC and disagreements over patrolling. The senior commander-level meetings, however, are intended to address broader and more pressing issues.

Jaiswal also said a similar mechanism exists in the western sector.

The development comes as India and China continue to engage through diplomatic and military channels on border management. The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) held meetings in Beijing in May and New Delhi in August 2026, according to the MEA.

Army chief Gen Dhiraj Seth had also recently visited the 3 Corps headquarters at Rangapahar to assess the ground situation and preparedness of troops deployed along the Chinese frontier, according to the report.

India’s BRICS focus on development, finance

Separately, Jaiswal said India’s priority across all tracks of discussion under BRICS has been development-focused, particularly in finance.

“India’s priority in all tracks of discussion in BRICS has been development focused, especially on finance,” Jaiswal said.

On BRICS payment systems, Jaiswal said the joint statement from the finance meeting, along with details on digital payments and cross-border payments, was awaited.

“Joint statement on finance BRICS meeting, digital payments and cross border payment is awaited,” he said.

On the participation of heads of state and government at the upcoming BRICS Summit, Jaiswal declined to provide details.

“We will update you on the participation. But at this point in time, I would say that please wait for an update from our side...” he said.