Both countries have reached a five-point consensus to resolve the four-month-long military standoff in eastern Ladakh, agreeing to “quickly withdraw” the troops, avoid any action that may increase tensions, and take steps to restore peace throughout. of the Line of Real Control. (LACQUER). The agreement in which the two countries said that the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either side was finalized during “frank and constructive” talks between Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart. , Wang Yi, in Moscow on Thursday night. .
The consensus came days after a new clash between the two countries’ armies in eastern Ladakh on Monday that further escalated the clash that broke out in May and triggered a massive military build-up by both sides at almost every sticking point. throughout LAC, the de-Facto border between the two countries. Indian government sources said the five-point agreement will guide the two countries’ approach to addressing the current border situation, which has remained volatile and tense.
“The two foreign ministers agreed that the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either party. Therefore, they agreed that the border troops from both parties should continue their dialogue, disconnect quickly, maintain the appropriate distance and alleviate tensions, “he said. a joint press release issued by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) in the early hours of Friday. However, no timetable is mentioned in the declaration for the disconnection and the restoration of peace and quiet. India has consistently argued that China should restore the status quo before April in eastern Ladakh.
The joint statement said that Jaishankar and Wang agreed that both sides will abide by all existing agreements and protocols on border issues between China and India, maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas, and avoid any action that may make matters worse. Significantly, the statement said the ministers agreed that as the situation improves, the two sides should accelerate work to conclude “new confidence-building measures” to maintain and enhance peace and tranquility in the border areas.
In the talks, the Indian delegation highlighted its strong concern about the concentration of troops and military equipment by China throughout LAC, in addition to referring to the “provocative behavior” of the personnel of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in numerous incidents of friction, Indian government sources said. . They said the Chinese side could not provide a credible explanation for the troop surge.
The Indian side insisted that the immediate task is to ensure a comprehensive withdrawal of troops in all areas of friction and that it is necessary to prevent any adverse incidents in the future, the sources said. Jaishankar also told Wang that maintaining peace and tranquility in the border areas was essential for the development of ties, the sources added.
However, he informed his Chinese counterpart that the recent incidents in eastern Ladakh inevitably affected the development of the bilateral relationship. The sources said that the Indian side clearly conveyed during the talks that it hoped for full compliance with all agreements on the management of the border areas and would not approve any attempt to change the status quo unilaterally.
“It was also emphasized that the Indian troops have scrupulously followed all agreements and protocols related to the management of border areas,” said a source. The joint statement also said that Jaishankar and Wang agreed that both sides should follow the guidance of the series of consensuses reached between the leaders of the two countries on the development of India-China relations, including not allowing the differences to develop into disputes.
It was clear that the reference was to the broad decision made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the talks following the 2017 Doklam episode. “The two sides also agreed to continue to dialogue and communicate through the Representative mechanism. Special. On the question of the border between India and China, “said the joint statement.
“They also agreed in this context that the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border issues (WMCC) should also continue its meetings,” he said. Foreign Minister Wang and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval are special representatives for the border talks. The Indian Army and the PLA have been locked in a tense clash in multiple areas throughout LAC in eastern Ladakh since early May. On Monday, shots were fired across LAC for the first time in 45 years and the two sides accused each other of shooting into the air.
A press release issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing quoted Wang as saying that he had told Jaishankar that it is normal for the two countries to have differences, but that it is important to put them in the proper context and follow the leaders’ guidance. . “Wang noted that it is normal for China and India to have differences as two important neighboring countries. The important thing is to put these differences in a proper context for bilateral relations,” the statement said.
Wang stressed that as two large developing countries are emerging rapidly, what China and India need now is cooperation, not confrontation; and mutual trust, do not suspect, added the statement. “Whenever the situation gets tough, it is of utmost importance to ensure the stability of the overall relationship and preserve mutual trust,” Wang said.
“China-India relations have once again reached a crossroads. But as long as the two sides continue to move the relationship in the right direction, there will be no difficulty or challenge that cannot be overcome,” Wang added. It is also important to push back. all personnel and equipment you have transferred. Border troops must withdraw quickly so that the situation can abate, he said.
The Chinese side is willing to support an improved dialogue between the border troops on both sides to solve specific problems. The Chinese side will keep in touch with the Indian side through diplomatic and military channels and will commit to restoring peace and tranquility in the border areas. ”The meeting between Jaishankar and Wang was the second highest political contact between the two. countries in a week. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe had also met in Moscow on September 4 on the sidelines of another SCO meeting. In Delhi, Singh and the top military commanders of the The country deliberated on the five-point agreement, government sources said.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Admiral-in-Chief Karambir Singh, they were present, they said. The Indian and Chinese armies are expected to hold a new round of Corps commander-level talks early next week with a focus on implementing certain provisions of the five-point agreement, the sources said.
The sources said that the Indian army will closely watch the overall approach of the Chinese army throughout LAC in eastern Ladakh to make an assessment of its seriousness in easing tension as agreed in the Jaishankar-Wang talks. It was also learned that General Naravane deliberated on the general situation in Ladakh, as well as the provisions of the agreement with senior military officials at Army headquarters.
In Chushul, another round of brigade commander-level talks was also held for about four hours starting at 11 a.m. Friday, with the aim of reducing tensions at the fighting sites.
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