India on Thursday again called for the next meeting of Indian and Chinese military commanders to be held at an “early stage” so that both sides can work towards a full withdrawal of troops along the Line of Effective Control (LAC).
The two sides, despite several rounds of diplomatic and military talks, failed to break through the nearly eight-month stalemate in the LAC’s Ladakh sector, despite Foreign Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said these discussions had led to a better understanding of the other positions.
He said a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border issues was held on December 18, and that both sides had agreed that the next or ninth round of senior military commanders “should take place early so that both sides can work towards an early and full withdrawal of troops along the LAC. ”
The withdrawal should be in line with existing bilateral agreements and protocols and “fully restore peace and tranquility,” said Srivastava. He added that India and China continue to communicate through diplomatic and military channels.
Tens of thousands of troops from both countries have buried themselves in key points of friction along the LAC in eastern Ladakh for the winter after the two sides could not agree on modalities for withdrawal and de-escalation.
On Wednesday, Indian Army Chief Gen MM Naravane visited forward areas in eastern Ladakh, including sites on the south bank of Lake Pangong where Indian forces have occupied strategic heights, and reviewed the armed forces prepared.
Areas visited by Naravane included Rechin La, where Indian troops took strategic heights from Aug 29-30 to prevent measures by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to unilaterally change the status quo along the LAC.
Last week, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said India has the strength to respond appropriately to any violation or unilateral action at the borders, but believes in peaceful resolution of conflicts.