New Delhi: No immediate resolution is expected as far as disengagement in Ladakh is concerned following the 16th round of corps commander-level talks between India and China, ThePrint has learnt.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said both sides have exchanged certain proposals regarding disengagement at Patrol Point (PP) 15, also known as the Hot Springs area.
The delegations will convey the proposals to their respective higher authorities before engaging in further exchanges, sources said, adding that the issue of Demchok was also discussed. Both sides have agreed that there will be no further increase in the presence of troops deployed in Demchok.
A joint statement issued Monday said that both sides had a “frank and in-depth exchange of views” and “agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest”.
Sources said that while the issue of Depsang Plains did not figure much in the talks, it was raised by the Indian delegation, along with the need for both sides to return to the April 2020 status quo at all friction points.
The meeting, which started at around 9.30 am on Sunday morning, lasted for over 12 hours and ended only at about 10 PM.
The talks were held on the Indian side of the Chushul Moldo Meeting Point with the Indian delegation being led by Lt Gen. A. Sengupta, Commander of the 14 Corps — also known as the Fire and Fury Corps — which looks after Eastern Ladakh.
ThePrint had reported Sunday that while the Indian side continues to see disengagement at PP 15 as low-hanging fruit, the mobilisation of troops and equipment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by China remains a concern.
That, along with the vexed issue of Depsang Plains, continues to be the real challenge for India, according to sources in the defence and security establishment.
Another issue that needs to be resolved is that of the Demchok area, where the Chinese have built additional tents near the Charding Nilung Nullah. However, like PP 15, this is also an issue that can be resolved easily, said sources.
India has been seeking a status quo ante when it comes to PP15, which means that the Chinese will have to return to the positions they held in April 2020, before the beginning of the military standoff.
‘Both sides agreed to work out a mutually acceptable resolution’
A joint statement released after the meeting said that “building on the progress made at the last meeting on 11th March 2022, the two sides continued discussions for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in a constructive and forward looking manner”.
“They had a frank and in-depth exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.
“The two sides reaffirmed that the resolution of remaining issues would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations,” the statement said.
It went on to add, “In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.”
(This report has been updated with additional inputs)
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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