New Delhi (NVI): India today again pitched for an early disengagement of troops from the remaining areas in Eastern Ladakh, saying that it expects China to cooperate in the process and that de-escalation of forces alone will lead to restoration of peace and tranquility in the region.
Addressing weekly media briefing here today, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi referred to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent comments that a prolongation of the situation is in neither side’s interest.
“We therefore hope that the Chinese side will work with us to ensure that disengagement in the remaining areas is completed at the earliest,” he said.
“This would allow both sides to consider de-escalation of forces in Eastern Ladakh as that alone will lead to the restoration of peace and tranquility and provide conditions for progress of our bilateral relationship,” the MEA spokesman added.
Bagchi further recalled that after the disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops in Pangong Lake area, that was completed in February this year, “was a significant step forward and it has provided a good basis for resolution of other remaining issues along the LAC in Western Sector”.
He said that after the February disengagement, the 10th round of Sr Commanders meeting, a telecon between EAM Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, and a WMCC interaction on 12 March, “there is a consensus that the two sides should now quickly resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.”
The MEA spokesman further said that at both the Senior Commanders meeting and the WMCC, the two sides had detailed exchange of views on the remaining issues. “The two sides continue to remain in touch through military and diplomatic channels,” he added.
-ARK
