To review the LAC situation in eastern Ladakh India and China held another round of diplomatic talks and discussed proposals for disengagement in remaining areas in an “open and constructive” manner. Both the countries have agreed for another meeting of senior commanders to address the situation, which is preventing New Delhi from resuming two-sided exchanges with Beijing.
While a breakthrough for disengagement in remaining areas remained elusive, the talks on this occasion took place in-person for the first time since 2019. Significantly, an Indian delegation led by the MEA joint secretary (East Asia) travelled to Beijing for the discussions. This was the first time an official Indian delegation travelled to China for talks with their counterparts since the military stand-off in April-May 2020.
The government said, “The two sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in the western sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining areas in an open and constructive manner, which would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in western sector and create conditions for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations.”
To achieve this objective in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, the government added that the two countries decided to hold the next (18th) round of the senior commanders’ meeting at an early date.
According to China, the two sides reviewed the “positive progress” made previously, affirmed the results of disengagement of the border troops of the two countries in the Galwan Valley and “other four places in the early stage, and had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the next stage of consultation ideas” and reached a four-point consensus.