New Delhi (NVI): Amid the ongoing diplomatic and military efforts to normalise the situation on India-China border, both sides have emphasised on the need for an “expeditious, phased and stepwise de-escalation” in Ladakh region along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as a priority, according to sources.
The Corps Commanders of Indian and Chinese armies held a meeting at the Chushul border point yesterday, that falls on the Indian side of LAC, as part of efforts to de-escalate the tense situation on the LAC in Eastern Ladakh, in the wake of violent June 15 Galwan Valley clashes.
This was the third military-level engagement between the two sides, the earlier one being on June 6 and 22 at Moldo, on the Chinese side.
India and China have been engaged in discussions through established military and diplomatic channels to address the situation along the LAC in India-China border areas.
The meeting was held in keeping with the agreement between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, during their conversation on June 17, that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner, and that both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of 6th June sincerely.
The meeting yesterday was long and held in a businesslike manner keeping in view the Covid-19 protocols, sources said. The discussions reflected the commitment of both sides to reduce the tensions along the LAC. The process of disengagement along the LAC is complex and in such a context, speculative and unsubstantiated reports need to be avoided, they said.
Meanwhile, more meetings are expected both at the military and at the diplomatic level, in the future, to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution and to ensure peace and tranquility along the LAC as per bilateral agreements and protocols.
India and China are currently locked in a bitter standoff at multiple locations in Eastern Ladakh, especially after the June 15 violent clash between the Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives.
Notably, the Indian Government has also banned 59 Chinese apps while citing the “emergent nature of threats” from mobile applications. The Ministry of Information and Technology on Monday said that it has banned the apps based on the information that they were engaged in activities “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity, defence, security and public order” in India.
-ARK
