Going beyond the established protocols, India and China held unprecedented Lieutenant General-level border talks today to de-escalate the ongoing tension on the eastern Ladakh border.
The extensive talk between the two nations [India] and [China] comes a day after a video call between diplomats of Indian and Chinese border working mechanism on Friday. The Friday talk suggested that both sides will deliberate on specific proposals to end the [standoff] in eastern Ladakh and soften their stances to ease resistance.
The talks are said to be requested by India. “The meeting was held at the Chinese-side of the Chushul-Moldo Border meeting point between 11-11:30 am,” said ANI quoting sources.
“Indian side was led by Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, Commander of XIV Corps, while Chinese side delegation was represented by Major General Lin Liu, Corps Commander, South Xinjiang Military Division,” news agency PTI reported.
The talks began from the Indian side making the first submission, which included asking both sides to maintain peace and tranquility on the border and to adhere to protocols and agreements signed by the two countries since 1993.
Following today’s meet, ANI quotes Indian Army Spokesperson as saying: “Indian and Chinese officials continue to remain engaged through the established military and diplomatic channels to address the current situation in the India-China border areas.”
Nearly six years ago, an uncanny standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies in Ladakh was resolved peacefully through military and diplomatic talks. As is happening now, the talks at the military level were held in Ladakh while the diplomatic discussion took place in Beijing.
The Army spokesperson cautioned against speculations of any instant result saying the Saturday meet could be the first of many ahead.
However, analysis of high-resolution satellite images of the Pangong Tso area in Ladakh recently showed a change in the status quo in the disputed area, learns Indian express but the officials have revealed too little on the actual situation at the border as of now.
Solving the border issue through dialogue seems to be the stand which both sides India and China have now taken to resolve the bitter differences in eastern Ladakh by holding a top commander level dialogue today after failing 10 rounds of negotiations between local commanders.
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