No breakthrough in talks over flashpoints areas like Depsang and Hot Springs in eastern Ladakh

The 13th round of India-China Corps Commander Level talks collapsed as the Chinese side refused to agree to any forward-looking proposals on the Indian side’s constructive suggestions for resolving the remaining areas of friction in eastern Ladakh.

“During the meeting, the Indian side therefore made constructive suggestions for resolving the remaining areas but the Chinese side was not agreeable and also could not provide any forward-looking proposals. The meeting thus did not result in resolution of the remaining areas,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday.

On Sunday, India and China held their 13th round of Corps Commander Level Meeting at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point to resolve their standoffs in Depsang and Hot Springs.

Of the six flashpoints in eastern Ladakh, India and China could resolve their standoffs in Gogra, Galwan, North and South banks of the Pangong Lake. But standoffs in Depsang and Hot Springs continue.

“During the meeting the discussions between the two sides focussed on resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The Indian side pointed out that the situation along the LAC had been caused by unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter the status quo and in violation of the bilateral agreements,” the MEA maintained.

According to the MEA, the Indian side emphasised such resolution of the remaining areas would facilitate progress in the bilateral relations.

But the Chinese side was not agreeable to suggestions offered by the Indian side for the resolution of remaining flashpoints in eastern Ladakh.

It was in this background, the Indian side asked China that it was therefore necessary that it should take appropriate steps in the remaining areas so as to restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the Western Sector.

“This would also be in accord with the guidance provided by the two Foreign Ministers in their recent meeting in Dushanbe where they had agreed that the two sides should resolve the remaining issues at the earliest,” the MEA said.

Yet the two sides have agreed to maintain communications and also to maintain stability on the ground.

“It is our expectation that the Chinese side will take into account the overall perspective of bilateral relations and will work towards early resolution of the remaining issues while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols,” the MEA said.