In the wake of China’s reluctance to carry on with the disengagement process in the Ladakh region, India and China Friday held a fresh round of online diplomatic talks under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs.
It was decided to have more meetings, both at the military and diplomatic levels, including more WMCC talks. Another meeting of the senior commanders is likely to be held soon to “work out further steps to ensure expeditiously complete disengagement and de-escalation and restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas”.
A statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides reviewed the situation along the India-China border areas and the ongoing disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector.
“They agreed that early and complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC and de-escalation from India-China border areas in accordance with bilateral agreement and protocols and full restoration of peace and tranquility was essential for smooth overall development of bilateral relations,” it said and added that it was in accordance with the agreement reached between the Sino-India special representatives (SRs) during their telephonic conversation on 5 July.
“They agreed in this regard that it was necessary for both sides to sincerely implement the understanding reached between senior commanders in their meetings till date.”
The Chinese statement said that the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the recent China-India border situation and fully affirmed the positive progress made by the front line border defence forces of the two countries to disengage and ease the situation on the ground.
It stated that the two sides will maintain bilateral military and diplomatic dialogues and consultations in accordance to the consensus reached at the level of Foreign Ministers and SRs and added that the two sides would properly handle remaining issues on the ground, and promote further cooling of the border situation.
However, reports say China has stalled the disengagement process, and has not moved back from the Hot Springs and Gogra regions. There is no use of holding talks without sticking to the promises made.