New Delhi: The 18th round of India China Corps Commander level talks held Sunday failed to make headway on the contentious issue of the Depsang Plains and de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, ThePrint has learnt.
All eyes are now on the visit of Chinese Defence Minister Gen Li Shangfu here for a meeting of the Shaghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) scheduled for April 27 and 28. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to hold bilateral talks with Li.
Sources in the defence and security establishment Monday told ThePrint that no breakthrough has been achieved in the talks during which India side strongly pressed for de-escalation along the LAC and also easing of tensions in the Depsang Plains.
However, they described the talks as “forward looking” and added that the Depsang issue and de-escalation was discussed in detail.
A statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry Monday, which was not a joint statement unlike in the past, said two sides had a frank and in-depth discussion on the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector so as to restore peace and tranquillity in the border areas, which will enable progress in bilateral relations.
It added that in line with the guidance provided by the state leaders and further to the meeting between the two Foreign Ministers in March 2023, they had an exchange of views in an open and candid manner.
“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,” the statement said.
While both militaries have disengaged from the northern and southern banks of the Pangong Tso, Gogra and the Hot Springs area since the stand-off began in May 2020, tensions remain in Depsang Plains and Demchok.
Both countries have failed to make any headway with regard to Depsang and Demchok, where tensions predate the ongoing stand-off.
Both India and China have been blocking each other to patrol beyond an area called Bottleneck.
Also, though troops have disengaged at several locations along the LAC, they continue to remain deployed in forward areas, along with their armoured and artillery equipment.
India has sought for de-escalation, which would entail the return of all additional troops and equipment in forward areas to their pre-April 2020 positions.
The talks are being held on the Chinese side of the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after a gap of nearly four months since the last round of talks was held in December 2022.
This is an updated version of the story.
(Edited by Anumeha Saxena)