According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC.
New Delhi:
India and China on Friday agreed to hold the next round of military talks at the earliest to achieve the objective of complete disengagement in the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh amid fresh escalation between the two sides over the prolonged LAC standoff.
In a virtual meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on Border Affairs, the two sides had a “clear exchange” of views and to reach a mutually acceptable solution for the withdrawal of troops in all friction points. Decided to continue the conversation. Enable progress in overall relations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
In a statement at the end of the talks, the MEA said that both sides agreed on the need to find an early solution to the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
The talks took place in the backdrop of a new round of fighting between the two sides over a standoff as well as a standoff following the withdrawal of troops by both sides from the north and south banks of Pangong Lake in February. .
“Both sides agreed on the need to find an early resolution of the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh in view of the agreement reached between the two Foreign Ministers in September 2020,” the statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said. “
“In this regard, both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through diplomatic and military mechanisms in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution for complete liberation from all friction points so as to enable progress in bilateral relations.” To ensure complete restoration of peace and tranquility for the country,” it added.
The MEA said that both sides have also agreed that in the interim, both sides will continue to ensure stability on the ground and prevent any untoward incident.
“Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Senior Commanders’ Meeting at the earliest to achieve the objective of complete disengagement from all friction points along the LAC in the Western Sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols,” it said. . India refers to the eastern Ladakh region as the western region. The last round of military talks (11th round) was held on 9 April.
“The two sides openly exchanged views on the situation along the LAC in the western sector of the India-China border areas,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
This week a war of words broke out between India and China over the border standoff.
India on Thursday blamed China for the standoff and said a large troop gathering near the border and attempts to unilaterally change the status quo along the LAC last year were responsible for seriously disturbing peace and tranquility in the region.
India’s response came after China said its military deployment in the region was a general defense mechanism aimed at “preventing and responding” to alleged “encroachments and threats” on Chinese territory by India.
The WMCC meeting was co-chaired by MEA Additional Secretary (East Asia) Naveen Srivastava and Director General, Border and Maritime Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
India and China reached a five-point agreement to resolve the border standoff during talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
The agreement included measures such as prompt withdrawal of troops, avoidance of action that escalates tension, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and measures to restore peace along the LAC.
India and China were locked in a military standoff at several friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year. However, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south shores of Pangong Lake in February after a series of military and diplomatic talks.
Both sides are now engaged in talks to extend the process of separation to the remaining friction points.
India has been pressing for the withdrawal of troops, particularly at Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang.
According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive high altitude area.
The remaining friction points did not show any further momentum in the withdrawal of troops as the Chinese side had not shown flexibility in its approach on the issue in the 11th round of military talks.
Last month, Army Chief General MM Naravane had said that there can be no de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh and the Indian Army is prepared for all contingencies in the region.
Gen Naravane also said that India is dealing with China in a “firm” and “non-escalatory” manner to ensure the sanctity of its claims in eastern Ladakh and that it is also open to initiate confidence-building measures. is.
.