China, India agree to deescalate, disengage forces after deadly clash

China and India have agreed to reduce tensions a week after their deadliest clashes in over 50 years on the disputed Himalayan border left 20 Indian troops dead in brutal hand-to-hand fighting.

The June 15 battle, reportedly fought with fists, clubs and rocks, was the first time troops have been killed on their frontier since 1975 and marked a major deterioration in ties between the two Asian giants.

Chinese and Indian military commanders have agreed to disengage their forces in a disputed area of the Himalayas following a clash that left at least 20 soldiers dead, both countries said on Tuesday.

The commanders reached the agreement on Monday in their first meeting since the June 15 confrontation, the countries said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, “The two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views on the prominent issues in the current border control and agreed to take necessary measures to cool down the situation.”

'Mutual consensus to disengage'

The Indian army said in a statement that "commander-level talks ... were held at Moldo in (a) cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere. There was mutual consensus to disengage.”

Zhao denied apparent speculation by an Indian government minister that 40 Chinese troops had died in the June 15 clash.

“I can tell you responsibly that it is false information," he said at a daily briefing.

India has said that 20 of its soldiers died.

China has not released any information on casualties on its side.

READ MORE: India, China accuse each other of violating de facto border

In India there have been growing calls for a boycott of Chinese goods.

Soldiers brawled with clubs, rocks and their fists in the thin air at 4,270 metres (14,000 feet) above sea level, but no shots were fired, Indian officials have said. The soldiers carry firearms but are not allowed to use them under a previous agreement in the border dispute.

Indian security officials have said the fatalities were caused by severe injuries and exposure to subfreezing temperatures.

The valley falls within a remote stretch of the 3,380-kilometre (2,100-mile) Line of Actual Control — the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted in an uneasy truce.

READ MORE: Timeline: the Line of Actual Control between China and India

Russia: 'No need to mediate'

The meeting of commanders came ahead of virtual talks between the foreign ministers of India, China and Russia later on Tuesday, ostensibly to discuss the coronavirus and commemorate the end of World War II.

While Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar made no direct mention of the clashes in his opening remarks, Russia's Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow saw no need to mediate between the two countries.

"I don't think China or India need any help whatsoever," Lavrov said.

Russia is a major supplier of arms to both countries.

The Times of India reported that Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in Moscow this week, would press Russia to fast-track delivery of its S-400 missile defence system as well as spares for fighter planes, tanks and submarines.