Beijing: A day after Indian and Chinese defence ministries issued a joint statement on the beginning of the process of disengagement by the troops of the two countries in Gogra-Hotsprings (PP-15) in Eastern Ladakh, China today hoped that this will help facilitate a “sound and steady” development of bilateral relations. Beijing claimed it was committed to properly handling relevant issues through communication and dialogue.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the beginning of disengagement as a positive development. When asked what this agreement reached in the 16th round of the India China Corps Commander Level Meeting meant for the rest of the disengagement process on the line of actual control, Ning told reporters that this was the outcome of multiple rounds of talks over a period of time between the two sides’ diplomatic and military establishments at various levels. “It is conducive to peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” she added.
Ning noted that according to the consensus reached in the 16th Round of the China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting, the Chinese and Indian troops in the area of Jianan Daban began to disengage on September 8, 2022. As to the early resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest, Ning said that the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views at the 16th round of meetings. “Both sides reiterated that resolving the remaining issues will help restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC [Line of Actual Control] in the Western Sector and promote the development of bilateral relations,” she said.
However, on the question of whether China proceeds with India towards complete disengagement, de-escalation and de-induction at the LAC at the Ladakh border, Ning claimed China consistently carried out “normal activities” in the border areas “in accordance” with the relevant agreements signed between China and India. “We have been asking the Indian side to also follow relevant agreements,” she said. When probed by an Indian journalist on this particular disengagement, and whether it will be a status quo restoration of April 2020, she said: “I’d like to state that the status quo of April 2020 you mentioned was created by India’s illegal crossing of the LAC. China will by no means accept that.”
She added: “We don’t accept the so-called status quo created by India’s illegal crossing of the LAC, but that doesn’t mean we don’t attach importance to peace and tranquillity along the border. The two sides have all along maintained communication over this through diplomatic and military channels.”
When told that India was not having troops of that magnitude in that area at the particular time, Ning claimed that this was not the first time China has stated its position on this issue. She acknowledged that China and India hold different positions on border issues, and said, “what is most important now is for both sides to keep up communication and dialogue, make the disengagement the first step and ensure peace and tranquillity along the border.
Photo: Ladakh landscape
– global bihari bureau
