China and India resolved a border dispute that was a worrying source of tension. The past few weeks saw tit-for-tat attacks between the world's two most populous nations. The flashpoints between the two nuclear powers took place in the Himalayas along the long border that divides the two countries. Chinese and Indian officials met on Saturday in an area adjacent to the border. They agreed to "peacefully resolve" their dispute in a "cordial" meeting. India said: "Both sides agreed to peacefully resolve the situation...in accordance with various bilateral agreements."
The disputed area is called the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It was established in 1993 and is one of the world's longest land borders. Small conflicts have taken place since the Sino-Indian War (also known as the Indo-China War) in 1962. The icy terrain along the LAC means the border is shifting. This has made it difficult to know what areas of the landscape belong to which country. China said the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries meant that, "both sides agreed that an early resolution would contribute to the further development of that relationship".