The Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army(PLA) have been locked in a tense standoff in multiple areas along the LAC in eastern Ladakh since early May.
Shots were fired across the LAC for the first time in 45 years with the two sides accusing each other of firing in the air. Expressing concern over the situation prevailing along the India-China border, a top US lawmaker said that Beijing should work with its neighbours to peacefully resolve disputes and respect international law.
With the crisis in Ladakh deepening, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held direct talks in Moscow for more than two hours this week to try and dial down tensions along the Line of Actual Control.
Jaishankar reiterated India’s demand for the restoration of status quo ante, that is, return to the positions held in April, before Chinese incursions in eastern Ladakh.
He also told Wang that the Indian Army never tried to transgress the LAC, refuting a frequent Chinese allegation. The immediate task New Delhi feels is to ensure a comprehensive disengagement of troops in all the friction areas. That is necessary to prevent any untoward incident in the future.