India, China to resolve remaining issues in eastern Ladakh ‘expeditiously’

The Indian and Chinese armies on Monday described as “constructive” the 12th round of military talks on the eastern Ladakh row during which they agreed to resolve the pending issues in an “expeditious” manner, even as no concrete outcome was visible on the much-anticipated disengagement process in the remaining friction points.

Two days after the India-China military talks, the joint statement, issued by the Indian Army said both sides had a “candid and in-depth exchange” relating to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas. It said the two sides agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations. Top commanders of the Indian and Chinese armies held a nine-hour meeting on Saturday with a focus on the disengagement process in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh. There has been little or no forward movement in friction areas along the LAC in eastern Ladakh since disengagement in Pangong in February of this year. Seeking a discussion over these areas, India insists that Depsang and Demchok should also be seen as friction areas in light of the ongoing military standoff.

However, China remains rigid in its stance on Depsang and Demchok. This is one of the key reasons why the Chinese have not even discussed other areas in eastern Ladakh apart from the ones that emerged as friction points during the military standoff last year.