Disengagement at friction points prerequisite for restoring ties: India
There was no breakthrough in the 12th round of talks between India and China for resolution of the stand-offs at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. India called for early disengagement of troops from the friction points as a prerequisite for restoring normal ties.
This was the main takeaway from the 12th round of talks between the Corps Commanders of the two Armies starting at 10.30 am at the Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side. The talks took place after nearly three months after the last round of engagement. The two sides may issue an official statement after the end of the talks.
At present, face-offs are on at the Hot Springs, Gogra and the Depsang Valley. While China wants the future rounds of talks to be scaled down to the local level commanders, the Indian security establishment is wary of such a proposal.
The two sides may agree in the coming weeks to disengage from the Hot Springs and Gogra, sources said here on Saturday. However, India will examine all the points emanating from the talks before giving the go-ahead.
Besides reiterating its stand on complete withdrawal of troops from all the friction points, India also insisted that status quo ante be restored as it was prior to May last year. The stand-offs started in the first week of May when the Chinese troops tried to transgress the LAC at several points starting from the Pangong Tso (lake).
The two Armies disengaged from the southern and northern banks of the Pangong Tso in February this year. However, the stalemate continues since then as regards the other three friction points despite military and diplomatic level talks.
The last round of Corps Commander level talks was held on April 9.
Sources said while the Hot Springs and Gogra may see an easing of tension, friction points in the Depsang valley and Demchok will be taken up once the disengagement is complete at Patrolling Points 15 and 17A in Gogra and Hot Springs.
Once the disengagement from all friction areas is complete, the de-escalation of the massive troop build-up along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh will be discussed after which both sides will work out new guidelines for patrolling in these areas.
At present, more than one lakh troops from both sides are deployed at the LAC in Eastern Ladakh since May last year leading to tension. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in mid-July this year on the sideline of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Both the ministers agreed to hold the commander-level talks as soon as possible and called for maintaining peace and tranquility at the LAC.