NEW DELHI: India and China are likely to disengage from some of the sticking points along the LACQUER in the East Ladakh In the coming days, the sources said, indicating that the two nations may have made a breakthrough in the nearly six-month military standoff.
The sources said the possible detente follows the eighth round of military talks between the two nations, which India described as “sincere, profound and constructive”.
“The two sides are likely to deviate from some of the sticking points in the coming days and have been discussing the modalities to do so in a phased manner,” ANI news agency reported, citing defense sources.
However, the sources added that the Indian side is proceeding cautiously as it wants discussions and agreements to be implemented on the ground.
“The two sides discussed withdrawing tanks and armored vehicles from their current positions. Some progress in this regard is likely in the coming days,” they said.
About 50,000 Indian Army troops are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness at various mountainous locations in Eastern ladakh in sub-zero conditions. China has also deployed an equal number of troops to the region, according to officials.
The clash between the two sides broke out in early May and worsened after a violent clash in the Galwan Valley on June 15 in which 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers were killed.
On Friday, Defense Chief of Staff General Bipin Rawat said India will not accept any changes from LAC and noted that the possibility that transgressions and clashes on the border could escalate into a major conflict cannot be ruled out.
The Indian delegation in the eighth round of military talks was led by Lieutenant General PGK Menon, the newly appointed Commander of the 14th Corps based in Leh.
Naveen Srivastava, Co-Secretary (East Asia) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was also part of the Indian delegation.
In the seventh round of talks as well, both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement “as soon as possible.”
India has always maintained that China has a responsibility to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region.
After the sixth round of military talks, the two sides announced a series of decisions including not sending more troops to the front, refraining from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground, and avoiding taking actions that could further complicate matters.
(With inputs from agencies)
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