The Indian Army said in a joint statement issued after the 12th Round of India-China Corps commander-level meeting. On Monday the two countries agreed to resolve the remaining border issues in an ‘expeditious manner’.
It will be under existing agreements and protocols while maintaining the momentum of dialogue and negotiations. On July 31, military delegates from India and China met in Moldo, Ladakh, for over nine hours to discuss resolving the border problem.
According to the Indian Army, this round of discussions came after the Foreign Ministers of India and China met. The first meeting was in Dushanbe on July 14. It was followed by the 22nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was on June 25.
“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 in the Western Sector of India-China border areas,” said Indian Army in the statement.
The force further said that all parties agreed that this round of discussions was a productive and improved mutual understanding. They decided to settle the remaining issues as quickly as possible. It was in accordance with existing agreements and protocols, and to keep the communication and negotiations moving forward.
“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 force added.
After a three-month gap, the two countries met for discussions. Military delegates from India discussed disengagement in locations such as Hot Springs, Gogra, and the 900-square-kilometer Depsang Plains.
Lt Gen P.G.K. Menon, the XIV Corps chief in Leh, and Naveen Srivastava, the Additional Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian delegation. Commander of the PLA’s Western Theatre Command Xu Qiling, who was appointed earlier this month, led the Chinese military delegation.
The build-up in Depsang was not included in the present standoff. The clash began in May of last year after escalation here in 2013. During recent military commander meetings, India insisted on resolving all issues on both sides of the Line of Actual Control.
Disengagement on friction spots at Gogra, Hot Springs, and Depsang was also discussed during the 11th round of Corps Commander level talks in April. Apart from the 12 rounds of meetings between Corps Commanders, the two forces have also held talks at the level of Major Generals, 55 Brigadiers, and 1,450 calls.
The troops of two Himalayan giants have disengaged from both the banks of Pangong Tso in February this year.
