India, China to continue talks on de-escalation of troops

NEW DELHI: In the 17th round of their meeting to review the situation along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, India and China on Friday reiterated to work out a plan for complete disengagement and de-escalation.

The two sides have remained engaged in dialogue following the violent faceoff in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh where 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers were killed on June 15 this year.

An official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the Indian delegation for the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was led by the Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the MEA.

The Chinese side in the meeting was represented by the Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Reviewing the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector, the two sides 'agreed that early and complete disengagement of troops along the LAC and de-escalation from India-China border areas in accordance with bilateral agreement and protocols and full restoration of peace and tranquility was essential for the smooth overall development of bilateral relations'.

The two sides noted that this was in accordance with the agreement reached between the two Special Representatives (SRs) during their telephonic conversation on July 5.

WMCC representatives from India and China agreed that it was necessary for both the sides to sincerely implement the understandings reached between Senior Commanders in their meetings till date.

"The two sides agreed that another meeting of the Senior Commanders may be held soon so as to work out further steps to ensure expeditiously complete disengagement and de-escalation and restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas," the statement said.

The government said that New Delhi and Beijing have agreed to maintain their ongoing engagements both at the diplomatic and military level, including through the meetings of WMCC. (IANS)

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