Amid growing tensions, India again asks China to withdraw troops from friction points
18 Jul 2022 10:44:45
New Delhi, July 18: Amid a two-year-long border standoff, the 16th round of Corps Commander-level talks between India and China began on Sunday at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side. India has once again stressed to China to withdraw its People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops from frictions points in eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Indian side which was led by Fire and Fury Corps Commander Lt Gen A Sengupta, asked to withdraw its troops and tents from two friction points in eastern Ladakh. According to the reports, India also discussed the recent incident that happened in the last week of June. A Chinese aircraft came very close to a friction point right on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in the last week of June. Following this, the Indian Air Force responded swiftly as per standard operating procedures.
There was no official word on the outcome of the meeting held. However, India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquillity along the LAC was key to the overall development of the bilateral ties.
The 15th round China-India Corps Commander-Level Meeting was held on March 11 this year. The two sides also agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector in the interim. They agreed to maintain dialogue via military and diplomatic channels to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.
India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May 2020 over the transgressions by the Chinese Army in multiple areas including the Finger area, Galwan Valley, Hot springs, and Kongrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020.
The talks have led to disengagement from some areas including the North and South Banks of Pangong Tso and Galwan but some friction points remain.