According to a joint statement, during Dec.
Indian and Chinese troops break away from Lake Pangong in eastern Ladakh in February this year | Photo credit: PTI
HIGHLIGHTS
- The 12th round of talks took place at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point
- The joint declaration goes on to say that the 12th rounds of talks were “constructive”.
- India insists that Depsang and Demchok should also be viewed as areas of friction in the face of the stalemate
Another de-escalation in east Ladakh was discussed during the 12th round of talks at the Indo-Chinese corps commander level on Saturday. The meeting took place at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side.
The main topics that came up during the discussion included: Gogra and hot springs, the points of friction in East Ladakh where a complete decoupling does not yet have to be achieved.
This 12th round of military talks between the two countries came after a gap of more than three months since the previous round.
READ: Confrontation between India and China: line without control
India and China make joint statement
According to a joint statement on Monday, the two sides had an “open and in-depth” exchange of views on resolving the remaining areas related to the withdrawal along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The statement goes on to say that the 12th discussion round was “constructive”.
India and China also agreed to resolve the remaining problems “quickly” and in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols. This process will be carried out while maintaining the dynamic of the dialogue and negotiations.
Indian and Chinese troops break away from Lake Pangong in eastern Ladakh in February this year | Photo credit: PTI
“The two sides have also agreed that in the meantime they will continue their effective efforts to achieve stability along the LAC in the western sector and jointly maintain peace and quiet,” the joint statement said.
What is the status like in Ladakh?
Since the retreat in Pangong in February of this year, there has been little or no forward movement in the areas of friction along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
India seeks a discussion of these areas and insists that Depsang and Demchok should also be viewed as areas of friction in view of the ongoing military stalemate.
However, China remains rigid in its stance on Depsang and Demchok. This is one of the main reasons the Chinese haven’t even talked about other areas in East Ladakh other than those that emerged as points of friction during last year’s military stalemate.
The 12th round of talks on Saturday was preceded by a meeting between Foreign Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Dushanbe on July 14th. Consultation and coordination on border affairs between India and China (WMCC) on June 25th.
Click here for IndiaToday.in’s full coverage of the corona pandemic.
एक टिप्पणी भेजें