Ladakh Standoff: India And China Diplomats Discuss Early Resolution; Agree To Hold 19th Corp Commanders Talks

Indian and Chinese Foreign Ministries representatives hold talks on Wednesday (May 31) for disengagement in the remaining friction points in the Depsang and Demchok area, situated along the LAC and the early resolution of the border standoff.

The meeting, according to a report by PTI, was held under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC).

Both sides also agreed to hold the 19th round of corps commanders talks for early restoration of peace and tranquillity.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement said, "The two sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in Western Sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in remaining areas in a frank and open manner".

"Restoration of peace and tranquillity will create conditions for normalising bilateral relations," the statement added.

The MEA statement further said, "In order to achieve this objective, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (19th) round of Senior Commander's meeting at an early date".

The 18th round of corp commander's talks held on April 24 failed to resolve the outstanding issues at Depsang in the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) sector and the Charding Nullah junction in the Demchok sector.

Following the 18th round of corp commanders talks, Indian and Chinese Defence and Foreign ministers also meetings, on the sidelines of the SCO summit, but still failed to resolve the border standoff.

The Indian and Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), are in a border standoff since May 2020, when Indian and Chinese PLA troops clashed in Galwan valley.

The clashes killed 20 Indian soldiers and reportedly more than 40-45 Chinese PLA soldiers.

Last year (on 12 December 2022), Indian and Chinese troops once again clashed in Yangtse area of the Tawang district of the North-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.