China takes rigid stand on Ladakh de-escalation, blames India’s unreasonable demands for stalemate
Mangalore Today News Network
New Delhi, Oct 11, 2021: The stalemate continues in eastern Ladakh, as India’s stand on working out a complete de-escalation plan in the region is not agreeable to China.
India has been insisting that a piecemeal disengagement -- as in Pangong Tso, Galwan and Gogra, where buffer zones have been created -- would not lead to a final resolution. China insists on a similar buffer zone for the Hot Springs area.
A buffer zone of 3 to 10 km in these areas means India cannot patrol areas that it traditionally did.
Moreover, pending issues like Depsang and Demchok that are not being considered as part of the stand-off that started in May 2020 need to be resolved, but China has been rigid in discussing these.
“During the meeting, the Indian side therefore made constructive suggestions for resolving the remaining areas but the Chinese side was not agreeable and also could not provide any forward-looking proposals. The meeting thus did not result in resolution of the remaining areas,” a statement from the Indian Army said.In the 13th Corps Commander level talks on Ladakh, the Indian side reiterated that the situation along the LAC had been caused by unilateral attempts by China to alter the status quo and in violation of the bilateral agreements.
’INDIA’S DEMANDS UNREASONABLE’
China, on the other hand, said, “India insists on unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding difficulties to the negotiations.”
The People’s Liberation Army spokesperson said that China is firm in its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty. He hoped that the Indian side should avoid misjudging the situation and cherish the hard-won situation in the China-India border areas.
"The Indian side should abide by the relevant agreements and consensus reached between the two countries and two militaries, show sincerity and take concrete actions to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the border areas with China," the spokesperson added.
ON RESOLUTION OF REMAINING FRICTION POINTS
There has been no de-induction of troops from forward locations and the build up by both sides continues even after the initial disengagement at friction points that ensured troops pull back from close proximity.
During the meeting, the discussions between the two sides focussed on resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
“It was therefore necessary that the Chinese side take appropriate steps in the remaining areas so as to restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the western sector,” the Indian statement said.
The Indian statement added that this would also be in accord with the guidance provided by the two foreign ministers in their recent meeting in Dushanbe where they had agreed that the two sides should resolve the remaining issues at the earliest.
“The Indian side emphasised such resolution of the remaining areas would facilitate progress in the bilateral relations,” it said.
The two sides have agreed to maintain communications and also to maintain stability on the ground. "It is our expectation that the Chinese side will take into account the overall perspective of bilateral relations and will work towards early resolution of the remaining issues while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols," read the statement.
Courtesy:India Today