Border talks inconclusive as Chinese army refuses to disengage along LAC in eastern Ladakh

The Chinese army is said to have hardened its stand and continue to resist Delhi’s demand for disengagement from transgression points in the Depsang Plains and Demchok along Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, sources in the security establishment have said

TT, New Delhi, 22.02.24,: The fresh round of military talks between India and China has yet again failed to achieve any breakthrough.

The Chinese army is said to have hardened its stand and continue to resist Delhi’s demand for disengagement from transgression points in the Depsang Plains and Demchok along Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, sources in the security establishment have said.

“There was no forward movement during the fresh round of talks as the Chinese army refused to budge from disengaging from the Depsang Plains and Demchok, which are strategically crucial for India,” a security official attached to the Union home ministry told The Telegraph.

India’s foreign ministry on Wednesday said in a statement that the 21st round of India-China corps commander-level meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on February 19.

So far, the talks between the two armies have crossed over 270 hours since the first talks took place on June 6, 2020.

“The discussions built on the previous rounds, seeking complete disengagement in the remaining areas along the LAC in eastern Ladakh as an essential basis for the restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas. The two sides shared their perspectives on this in the talks held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere,” the statement from the external affairs ministry said.

“The two sides have agreed to maintain communication on the way ahead through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. They also committed to maintaining peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in the interim.”