Earlier, China had suggested talks on July 26 to end the dispute. India had pushed it forward due to Kargil Victory Day.
After three months, once again, the 12th round of corps commander level talks will be held between India and China today. The meeting will be held in Moldo, on the Chinese side of LAC. The meeting began at 10.30 AM. India and China will discuss troop withdrawals from Hot Springs and Gogra Heights.
Tensions between the two countries have been high over the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh since April last year. Disengagement has taken place between the two countries’ armies in many places, including the shores of Lake Pangong, but tensions remain over other parts.
Earlier, China had suggested talks on July 26 to end the dispute. India had pushed it forward due to Kargil Victory Day. Earlier, the 11th round of corps commander level talks between the two countries was held on April 9 in Chushul towards the Indian border.
Following issues can be negotiated
According to military sources, discussions may be held to reach an agreement on disengagement from Gogra and Hot Spring areas in Eastern Ladakh. About 30-35 soldiers are deployed from both the sides at these two points.
The disengagement had started even before Pangong in the Hot Spring area, but it could not be completed. A platoon (about 30 soldiers) of both the armies are stationed here. Soldiers of both the countries are not even able to patrol at these points.
The issue of Demchok and Depsang will also be raised in the talks. India would like to open the patrolling points blocked by the Chinese troops in Depsang area and remove its troops.
Tents of Chinese soldiers as well as civilians have been set up in Demchok area. It is also about two years old and these are also to be discussed in the meeting. In the meeting, India will talk about restoring the status quo before April 2020.
Troops Withdrawal From Pangong Tso Completed
Since May last year, there has been a military standoff between the two countries at several points of conflict in eastern Ladakh. The two sides have completed the process of removing troops and weapons from the north and south shores of Lake Pangong after a series of military and diplomatic talks.
However, there has been no movement to withdraw troops from the remaining conflict zones, as the Chinese side did not show leniency in the 11th round of military talks.
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