'Manila, Beijing can mirror India-China border deal'

(UPDATE) SEN. Imee Marcos believes that the Philippines and China may need to emulate the Beijing-New Deli border deal, arguing the effectiveness of dialogue in resolving conflicts.

«This gives me hope that the Philippines and China can pursue a similar solution in the West Philippine Sea (WPS),» the senator said on Friday.

«Suppose India and China can agree on peace after decades of lethal encounters. In that case, Manila and Beijing can undoubtedly work together to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea,» added Senator Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Throughout the years, she noted, violent clashes have broken out between Indian and Chinese forces over the disputed borders. In 2020, a score of Indian troops and four Chinese soldiers lost their lives in an armed clash.

Imee added that tensions rose to all-time highs, and both sides started to position thousands of troops near the borders. However, both countries chose dialogue and peace instead of war and destruction.

Nearly four and a half years after the Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Galwan Valley, Ladakh — which marked the first deadly confrontation between the two countries along their disputed border since 1975 — the standoff between two powerful nations in the Himalayas appears to be nearing resolution.

«An agreement has been reached regarding the patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the border areas between India and China. This agreement will facilitate disengagement and help resolve the issues in these areas in 2020,» India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared this information with journalists in New Delhi on Monday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping conducted their first formal talks in five years, indicating their strained relations improved following the deadly military clash four years ago.

According to the Indian government and Chinese state media, the leaders met on Wednesday during the Brics summit in Kazan, Russia.

The meeting occurred days after the two countries reached a deal to resolve a four-year military standoff.

Xi and Modi shook hands before their national flags,