Both sides agree to stop sending more troops to frontline, to avoid misunderstandings

The 14-hour military-diplomatic level talks between India and China on Monday to defuse tension at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) ended on a positive note.

The talks were held in a positive manner, and it is hoped that another two to three rounds of dialogues in the coming days may start the process of disengagement of troops.

India and China on Tuesday in a joint statement after the sixth round of Corps Commanders talks agreed to “stop sending more troops to the frontline” and “refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground” while agreeing to hold more talks to resolve the standoff.

“They agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen communication on the ground, avoid misunderstandings and misjudgements, stop sending more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground, and avoid taking any actions that may complicate the situation,” the joint statement said on the senior military commander-level held on Monday. The two sides had candid and in-depth exchanges of views on stabilising the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas, it stated.

Sources said while the disengagement is yet to be agreed upon, the recent talks will ensure there will not be any further build up along the LAC. The two sides also agreed to hold the seventh round of military commander level talks as soon as possible, “take practical measures to properly solve problems on the ground, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border area,” the statement added.

Also, the two delegations reaffirmed their commitment to abide by the five-point plan outlined by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for disengagement. 

The two leaders held two-hour long bilateral meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave.

While official version of the latest meeting between the Corps Commanders on Monday was yet to come, sources said the talks were positive, but there was no breakthrough yet on disengagement and de-escalation.  The talks began at 9 am at Moldo, Chushul on the LAC and went on till 11pm, they added.

“The talks were held in line with the five-point plan agreed between the two Foreign Ministers in Moscow.  There are differing positions and the issues are complex so it will take more rounds of talks to reach an understanding,” sources said. Details of the talks would be discussed within the Government and the future course of action decided, it has been learnt.

India insisted complete disengagement and de-induction of the Chinese troops from all friction points and along the LAC.  The Chinese, however, asked Indian forces to vacate the heights on the south bank of the Pangong Tso (lake) in Ladakh as one of the conditions for withdrawal of their troops, sources said.