India has returned a Chinese soldier who had strayed across a contested de facto border in the western Himalayan region where both sides have been locked in a tense standoff, according to China’s official military newspaper.
The soldier was handed over early on Wednesday morning, according to the PLA Daily report, a state-owned media outlet.
Twenty Indian soliders died in the fierce brawl since last June. Both countries have deployed heavy forces at the border. The nuclear-armed neighbours have been locked in a border confrontation in the Ladakh region, with troops killing each other in hand-to-hand combat and firing shots in the air.
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.
China is believed to also have had casualties but has not given any details. It also detained at least 10 Indian soldiers, including four officers, following 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 “apprehended” a Chinese solider it identified as Wang Ya Long and said he would be released after “completion of formalities”.
The Chinese defence ministry late on Monday said the missing soldier had been helping herders round up yaks when he lost his way on Sunday evening. The statement also called for the soldier’s release as soon as possible to “maintain peace and tranquility” on the border.
Indian nationalists demanding a boycott of Chinese goods and the government banning a slew of social media apps from its major rival. Tensions have also spilled into civilian life.
India is also seeking closer security ties with other countries wary of China’s growing military power.
Australia announced on Tuesday that it would take part, for the first time, in naval exercises with India, Japan and the United States in the Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile the Indian army’s Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General S.K Saini is in the US for talks and to seek other equipment for use in the China border showdown, according to a report by Al Jazeera.