Military talks ‘positive’, India, China agree to speedily resolve border standoff

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Aug 16, 2023: In a rare two-day military talks, India and China agreed to address the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh without delay, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a readout.

 

Talks at the 19th round of Corps Commander-level meeting at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point were described as "positive, constructive and in-depth", but no immediate breakthrough was reported in the disengagement of troops at remaining friction points.

"The two sides had a positive, constructive and in-depth discussion on the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector. In line with the guidance provided by the leadership, they exchanged views in an open and forward looking manner," the statement released simultaneously in Delhi and Beijing.

"They agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through military and diplomatic channels," it said.

"In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas," the statement said.

The discussions took place before Independence Day and less than a month before the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to attend the G20 summit on September 9 and 10.

Since the commencement of the Corps Commander-level talks in 2020, both sides have successfully undertaken disengagement from five friction points — Galwan, the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, and Patrolling Points (PP) 15 and 17A in the Gogra-Hot Springs area.

However, the recent talks have faced challenges regarding disengagement from Depsang Plains and Demchok, with China asserting that these issues predate the 2020 standoff.

India has consistently emphasised that bilateral relations with China cannot return to normalcy until the standoff is resolved.

Courtesy: India Today