NEW DELHI: India and China have agreed that the next round of military talks should be done early to work towards an “early and complete” disconnection from troops along the Line of Real Control (LAC) in Eastern ladakh in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anurag Srivastava He said diplomatic and military talks have helped both sides to improve understanding of each other’s positions on the issue.
Last week, India and China held another round of diplomatic talks under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (CMMC) on India-China border issues.
At the virtual meeting, both parties agreed to continue working to ensure complete disengagement of troops at all friction points throughout LAC in the east as “before.”
“India and China continue to maintain communications through diplomatic and military channels. These discussions have helped both sides to improve understanding of each other’s positions,” Srivastava said.
He was answering questions about the more than seven-month-long border standoff.
“As you know, a WMCC meeting on India-China border issues was held on December 18 and the two sides agreed that the ninth round of senior commanders meetings should be held at an early date so that both sides can work towards a prompt and complete withdrawal of troops throughout LAC in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols and fully restore peace and tranquility, “he said.
The eighth and final round of military talks took place on November 6, during which both sides discussed extensively the withdrawal of troops from specific sticking points.
Nearly 50,000 Indian Army soldiers are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero conditions, as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have yielded no concrete results for resolve the confrontation.
China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. Army chief General MM Naranave visited several high-altitude outpost areas in eastern Ladakh on Wednesday and reviewed India’s overall military readiness.
When asked if India canceled all planned diplomatic events with China to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Srivastava said activities have not yet started.
“This is the 70th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China. However, the activities that have been agreed have not yet been launched,” he said.
In video: India, China continue to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels: MEA
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