New Delhi: The Indian and Chinese armies Monday described as ‘constructive’ the 12th round of military talks. The military talks are being held on the eastern Ladakh row. During the discussions the two armies agreed to resolve the pending issues in an ‘expeditious’ manner. However, there has been no concrete outcome of the negotiations on the much-anticipated disengagement process in the remaining friction points.
A joint statement was released here by the Indian Army. It came two days after the talks and said the two sides had a ‘candid and in-depth exchange’ of views relating to the disengagement. It said the meeting further enhanced ‘mutual understanding’.
People familiar with the talks said some forward movement was made on the disengagement in the friction points of Hot Springs and Gogra. Both sides will discuss about a detailed plan on it in the next round of talks.
The joint statement said the two sides agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.
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Top commanders of the Indian and Chinese armies held a nine-hour meeting Saturday with a focus on the disengagement process in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh.
“The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas,” the statement said.
“The two sides noted that this round of meeting was constructive, which further enhanced mutual understanding. They agreed to resolve these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations,” it added.
The government usually refers to the eastern Ladakh region as Western Sector.
The two sides also agreed that in the interim they will continue their effective efforts in ensuring stability along the LAC in the Western Sector and jointly maintain peace and tranquility, the statement said.
During the talks Saturday, India insisted on resolving outstanding issues in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang. Ahead of the talks, sources in the military establishment had said that India was hopeful of a positive outcome on the disengagement process.
The latest round of the meeting was held following talks between foreign minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Dushanbe July 14 on the sidelines of a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
