India, China Foreign Ministers to establish hotline

New Delhi, Feb 26: External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar while reviewing the disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh with his counterpart Wang Yi of China on Thursday "agreed to remain in touch and establish a hotline" for the exchange of opinions between both sides. Both the Ministers had a phone conversation yesterday afternoon that lasted 75 minutes.

 

 

Noting the completion of disengagement in the Pangong Lake area, Jaishankar emphasized that both sides should now quickly resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. He said that once disengagement is completed at all friction points, then the two sides could also look at broader de-escalation of troops in the area and work towards restoration of peace and tranquility.

 

 

On the other hand, Chinese Minister Wang Yi expressed "satisfaction at the progress made so far. It was an important step forward for restoration of peace and tranquility in border areas", according to a statement of Ministry of External Affairs. He felt that both sides should make efforts to consolidate outcomes. It was also necessary to sincerely implement the common understanding reached at various levels. He spoke about the need to improve management and control in the border areas.

 

Wang Yi also noted that the Indian side had proposed ‘three mutuals’ (mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests) as the approach to the relationship. He also agreed on the importance of taking the long view of our ties. The two Ministers agreed to remain in touch and establish a hotline.

 

 

Last week, armies of India and China concluded the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of Pangong Tso in the high-altitude region.

 

On February 20, the 10th round of commander-level talks was held on the Chinese side of the Moldo/Chushul border meeting point. “The two sides positively appraised the smooth completion of disengagement of frontline troops in the Pangong Lake area noting that it was a significant step forward that provided a good basis for resolution of other remaining issues along the LAC in Western Sector. They had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on other issues along the LAC in the Western Sector,” a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.