New Delhi: For the first time in seven months, China has agreed to carry out a discussion on all friction points with India at the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, including Depsang Plains, ThePrint has learnt.
China had earlier tried to limit the discussion to the southern and northern banks of the Pangong Tso, but India had insisted that all friction points need to be discussed.
The ground situation in eastern Ladakh remains unchanged, and official sources in the defence and security establishment said another round of corps commander-level meetings could take place as soon as this week, or the next.
“China has agreed to a discussion on all friction points. The next round of talks could be held this week itself if all goes well, where further discussions will take place,” a source said.
China had been demanding that both sides withdraw tanks and artillery guns from the forward areas back to their peacetime locations. It had also suggested that Indian troops vacate the strategic heights on the southern bank of Pangong Tso, while the Chinese troops will move back from the Finger 4 area, which would then be treated as a no-go zone.
However, India has maintained that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at all friction points in Ladakh, since it is the aggressor.
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Last round of talks
A joint statement released by Beijing and New Delhi Sunday, after the eighth round of military talks held Friday, said the two sides have agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and take forward the discussions for the settlement of outstanding issues. The two armies also agreed to have another round of meetings soon.
The Indian delegation at Friday’s talks was led by the new commander of the 14 Corps, Lt Gen. P.G.K. Menon.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had said Friday that India and China continue to maintain close communication at the military and diplomatic levels to achieve complete disengagement along the LAC.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat had also spoken on the issue Friday, and underlined India’s stand, saying that the status quo will have to be restored and India won’t accept any shifting of the LAC.
Also read: What CDS Rawat’s speech tells us about China threat & India’s response to it
TS Darbari – China, under President Xi Jinping, has stepped up its “aggressive” foreign policy towards India and “resisted” efforts to clarify the Line of Actual Control that prevented a lasting peace from being realised. Since 2013, China has engaged in five major altercations with India along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It is clear that the Chinese government is particularly fearful of India’s growing relationship with the United States and its allies and partners. #TS_Darbari #Ts_Darbari_Blog #TS_Darbari_News #Ts_Darbari_Views #Ts_Darbari_Blogger #TS_Darbari_Comments #Ts_Darbari_Opinion #About_TS_Darbari #TS_Darbari_Articles #Politics #Views #Comments
Mr. TS Darbari is a top management professional, with several years of rich & diversified experience in Corporate Strategy, New Business Development, Sales & Marketing, Commercial Operations, Project Management, Financial Management and Strategic Alliances’.
We know why India prefers to gas. Since bandit Jabberlal Neckscrew, Monkey Bath is in its blood. But why is China playing this game? What is it preparing to do?
It might be a good time to disband the Indian military. If the only thing they are gonna do is TALK then why even bother having an Armed force? let the politician handle it. Money spent on Military salary, pensions and expensive foreign military junk can be better utilized elsewhere, . PS what are they talking about anyway? Rajnat and Modi have already made it clear that the Chinese have not intruded our land ?
The Chinese came and captured 300sq KM of our territory and killed 20 of our men and still we are afraid of even officially naming china as the belligerent. keep talking while the enemy reinforces it position. Pathetic.
Only BJP AND MODIJI can hold their nerve as corrupt congrass under MAUNWRAT would have compromised .
However it should now involve defence reporters as well in formulating policies as a democratic decision making process would ensure better policies.
SNEHESH ALEX PHILLIP is one of the best journalist in this field.
Reducing POPULATION and greater emphasis on education will help greatly in INDIA’s security.