New Delhi, August 14, 2023: 19th Round of Talks Focus on Easing Tensions in Eastern Ladakh
In a bid to de-escalate tensions along the India-China border, the 19th round of discussions between the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) took place on Monday. The talks centered on the withdrawal of troops from remaining tense areas in Eastern Ladakh and broader measures to reduce tensions in the region.
The high-level military negotiations commenced at around 9:30 am and continued until 1:30 pm, bringing together representatives from the Indian Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and the Ministry of External Affairs. These discussions signify both countries’ commitment to finding peaceful solutions to their border issues, as reported by sources from CNN-News18.
The meeting unfolded at the Chushul-Moldo border point on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), according to sources from the Press Trust of India (PTI). This strategic location has been the venue for several previous discussions as both nations seek common ground.
Taking place after a span of four months since the previous dialogue, this recent round of military talks aims to ease tensions in the Eastern Ladakh region. The Indian delegation’s primary objective during these negotiations is to expedite the process of withdrawing troops from the remaining friction points.
Despite multiple rounds of diplomatic and military discussions that resulted in the withdrawal of forces from various locations, Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in standoffs at specific contentious points in Eastern Ladakh for over three years. During the 18th round of military discussions on April 23, the Indian side reiterated the urgency of resolving persistent issues at locations like Depsang and Demchok.
This round of discussions holds notable significance, especially in anticipation of the upcoming BRICS summit. During the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to engage in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Last year, conversations between PM Modi and President Xi during a dinner at the G-20 summit in Bali emphasized the need to stabilize bilateral relations. Further underlining the importance of such dialogues, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with prominent Chinese diplomat Wang Yi during the BRICS summit in Johannesburg on July 24.
As both nations work towards stability and cooperation, these high-level negotiations serve as a vital platform for addressing border concerns and fostering diplomatic ties in the interest of regional and global stability.
