India and China held their first-ever Corps Commander-level meeting in the eastern sector at the Wacha-Damai border meeting points in Arunachal Pradesh on September 6 and 7, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to maintain peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.The first meeting was held at Vacha on the Indian side on September 6, while the second took place at Damai on the Chinese side on September 7, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a biweekly media briefing.“Pursuant to the understandings reached between the Special Representatives of India and China in August 2025 and August 2026, and subsequent discussions at the working mechanisms for consultation and coordination, the WMCC mechanism that we have, meetings of which were held in Beijing and New Delhi in May and August 2026, respectively, the first senior highest military commander-level flag meeting was held at Vacha on the Indian side in Arunachal Pradesh on 6 September and at Damai on the Chinese side on 7 September,” Jaiswal said.“So, that is what I have to share. And a similar mechanism, let me share, also exists in the western sector,” he added.India-China's first Corps Commander-level talks in Arunachal PradeshET had reported Monday on one of the meetings at the Vacha-Damai border meeting point, near the LAC and close to Kibithu. The Indian delegation was led by Lt Gen Girish Kalia, Commander of the Rangapahar-based 3 Corps.Corps Commander-level talks had not previously been held in Arunachal Pradesh. The latest engagement follows agreements reached during discussions between the Special Representatives of the two countries in August 2025 and August 2026, as well as meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) in Beijing in May and New Delhi in August.The dialogue also follows National Security Adviser Ajit Doval's August 26 boundary delimitation and border management discussions in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two sides agreed on measures to maintain peace and stability along the LAC, including two additional meeting points for Corps Commander-level discussions beyond Ladakh and additional military hotline channels in the eastern and middle sectors.Regular meetings between troops deployed at forward positions are held to address local issues, including perceived transgressions, people or cattle crossing the LAC and disagreements over patrolling. Senior commander-level meetings are intended to address broader and more pressing military issues.The development comes amid efforts to gradually normalise India-China ties following the 2020 eastern Ladakh standoff, which included a deadly clash between troops of the two countries.“India-China ties are gradually moving in a positive direction,” Jaiswal said.“This gradual normalisation of ties, people-to-people ties are very important. And when we talk of people-to-people ties or normalisation of people ties, we also talk about visa issues that also help in promoting people-to-people ties,” he added.The latest talks also come shortly after Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth visited the 3 Corps headquarters to review combat preparedness and strategies for enhancing mountain warfare capabilities.PM Modi to hold bilateral talks at BRICS SummitPrime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with several leaders on the sidelines of the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the MEA said, while declining to provide details of the participating leaders or the schedule.“Our Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with numerous leaders during the BRICS summit. Detailed information regarding the specific leaders and the timing of these meetings will be provided to you. As for the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine--this is one of the many issues that will come up during the bilateral discussions,” Jaiswal said.On the participation of heads of state and government at the summit, Jaiswal said: “We will update you on the participation. But at this point in time, I would say that please wait for an update from our side.”Asked specifically about Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's participation, Jaiswal said: “I don't have any update.”India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 under its 2026 chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”New Delhi's priorities include cooperation in finance, trade, agriculture, healthcare, energy, digital technology, climate action and other areas, with an emphasis on practical outcomes and economic cooperation.