Updated: October 19, 2020 4:10:29 pm
In this file image, an Indian Army soldier is seen standing watch on top of his vehicle as his convoy moves along the Srinagar-Ladakh highway in Gagangeer, northeast of Srinagar, Kashmir. (AP Photo)
The Indian army detained a Chinese soldier in eastern Ladakh on Monday. The Army said the soldier had “drifted through the Royal Line of Control (LAC)” and will soon be handed over to the People’s Liberation Army (EPL).
In a statement, the Army said that “a PLA soldier identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long was detained in the Demchok sector of eastern Ladakh on October 19, 2020 after crossing the LAC.”
“A request has also been received from the PLA regarding the whereabouts of the missing soldier,” the Army said, adding that, “according to established protocols, he will be returned to Chinese officials at the Chushul – Moldo meeting point after the completion of formalities”.
The soldier, the Indian army said, “has received medical assistance that includes oxygen, food and warm clothing to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh weather conditions.”
The incident comes as around 50,000 soldiers from each side are stationed in eastern Ladakh as part of the military standoff that began in early May.
There have been seven rounds of talks at the Corps Commander level and multiple rounds of diplomatic talks also to find a resolution, but the discussions have not been successful.
The last round of discussions took place a week ago, on October 12. The two sides said in a joint statement on Tuesday that they had “a sincere, in-depth and constructive exchange of views on the disconnection along the Royal Line of Control in the Sector of the border areas between India and China” and opined that ” these discussions were positive, constructive and improved understanding of the positions of others ”.
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“Both parties agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and to reach a mutually acceptable solution for disconnection as soon as possible. Both parties agreed to seriously implement the important understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, not to turn differences into disputes, and to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, ”he added. joint statement had mentioned.
Without consensus on a separation and eventual de-escalation roadmap, both sides are prepared for the winter deployment of additional troops in the region during harsh winters.
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