India on Monday denied that a deal was struck with Beijing to resolve the stand-off in ladakh and maintained that two countries decided to restore status quo along the line of Actual Control (lAC) as it existed prior to April 15, when Chinese intruded into Indian Territory there.
Airing more or less similar views, China also said the “stand-off incident” with India was resolved through “fruitful consultations,” keeping the larger interests of bilateral relations in mind.
Formally announcing the pullback by two sides, External Affairs Ministry said New Delhi flag meetings were held to workout modalities and to confirm to arrangements. This came about after two flag meetings over the week-end between local commanders at Chushul and then the Chinese and Indian troops withdrew simultaneously at 7.30 pm on Sunday. Indian and Chinese commanders shook hands before withdrawing, officials said.
The face off had cast a shadow over External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid’s visit to China on May 9 to prepare the ground for Chinese Prime Minister li Keqiang’s visit to India from May 20.
Khurshid had told reporters on his way to Iran last week that the progress in dialogue to end the stand off in ladakh was not satisfactory. India would have liked a “much better response” from China, he had said and emphasised that it wanted reversal of the “adverse incident” and return to the status quo.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in Beijing the two-sides exercised restraint and properly handled the incident through relevant mechanisms, diplomatic channels and border meetings.
“We believe that maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas serve the common interests of the two sides. China is ready to join hands with the Indian side to seek a mutually acceptable and fair solution to the border question at an early date,” she said.
Asked whether the Chinese troops moved back from their position, when did that happen and how far they withdrew, she replied, “I have said the two sides have been constructive and cooperative and have been maintaining communications through relevant mechanism in the border regions.”
It was learnt that the Chinese intruded into Depsang Valley as a response to perceived military build up by India including raising two mountain divisions, modernising airfields and building strategic roads. The Chinese also conveyed during flag meetings that they were concerned over the change in India’s behaviour.
The Government had kept the main Opposition party BJP and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav informed about the steps taken to break the impasse. Yadav had asked the Government to call off Khurshid’s visit to Beijing and favoured a tough response to incursions.