New Delhi: Indian authorities have returned a Chinese soldier who was apprehended in Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh. He was handed over to Chinese authorities at Chushul – Moldo meeting point on Wednesday morning. 

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The development comes even as India and China ties remain tense due to Chinese aggressive actions at the Line of Actual Control.

The PLA soldier identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long had strayed across the LAC and taken into Indian custody on Monday. He was provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes to protect him from extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions.

The Indian authorities had also received a request from the PLA about the whereabouts of the missing soldier.

The Chinese soldier's identity card was confiscated and some more documents were recovered. According to him, he came in search of his yak. 

Meanwhile, the eighth round of Corps Commander-level talks between India and China is likely to take place this week with a focus on carrying forward their discussions on the disengagement process in eastern Ladakh as the region enters the harsh winter season, government sources said. "The eighth round of military talks are likely to take place this week. The date is yet to be finalised," said a source.

Both sides had met on for the seventh round of talks on October 12, though there was no breakthrough on the disengagement of troops from the friction points at eastern Ladakh. But both have maintained that the talks were "positive and constructive".

India has all along maintained that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points.