Indian, China stress need for early deescalation; but early disengagement unlikely

July 1, 2020

New Delhi: After yesterday’s the talks between Indian and Chinese Army commanders, there were indications that the process of disengagement from the LAC will take more time in view of the complexity of the matter.

Both sides have though emphasised the need for an expeditious, phased and step wise de-escalation as a priority, according to sources.

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 after the recent buld up and clash in the Galwan valley.

”The process of dis-engagement along the LAC is complex and in such a context, speculative and unsubstantiated reports need to be avoided,” the sources said.

The meeting yesterday was long and held in a businesslike manner keeping in view the Covid-19 protocols. The discussions reflected the commitment of both sides to reduce the tensions along the LAC, they added.

This was third senior military commander level engagement to discuss issues related to disengagement at the faceoff sites along the LAC and de-escalation from the border areas.

More meetings are expected both at the military and at the diplomatic level, in future, to arrive at mutually agreeable solution and to ensure peace and tranquility along the LAC as per bilateral agreements and protocols, according to sources.

Earlier, on June 17 the External Affairs Ministers and his Chinese counterpart ahd agreed 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 as per understanding of 6th June sincerely.

Twenty Indian Army men, including officers, were killed in a violent clash with Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on the night of June 15-16.

These are the first casualties faced by the Indian Army in clash with the People’s Liberation Army since 1975 when an Indian patrol was ambushed by Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh.

—India News Stream