Major general-level talks held between India and China Sunday over the tensions in the Depsang Plains region along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) achieved no progress, ThePrint has learnt.
All eyes are now on the next round of diplomatic parleys for the LAC disengagement process to gain some traction.
There has not been any significant change in the ground situation in Ladakh, where the Chinese continue to occupy areas on the Indian side of the LAC, especially near Pangong Tso, and block Indian patrols in the Depsang Plains.
“There has been no progress made even in the major general-level talks. There is not much change on the ground. We are looking forward to the WMCC (Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs) talks. Nothing is planned as of now, but dates could be fixed very soon,” a government source told ThePrint.
The WMCC is a joint secretary-level platform established in 2012 for border management between the countries and to share views on strengthening communication and cooperation, including between border security personnel.
ThePrint had earlier reported that the ongoing military talks between India and China have hit a roadblock, with the Chinese standing firm on their positions.
Moreover, the situation in the Depsang Plains is different to the current state of affairs elsewhere, and predates the standoff that began in early May.
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No corps commander-level talks
Sources also said no corps commander-level talks are being planned as of now.
“The focus is on diplomatic parleys and only then will the focus shift to military-level talks,” a source said.
China has strengthened its positions in areas near the LAC, and has shown no intention of going back to the early April positions, as demanded by India.
The Indian Army is also concerned that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is intentionally delaying the disengagement process until the winter, to possibly open a new front in the Northeast.
Sources have said the Indian armed forces will continue with their forward deployment during the winter too.
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