Fresh military talks between India and China aimed at resolving the eastern Ladakh border standoff failed to yield any breakthrough, despite both sides agreeing to maintain peace and tranquillity.
The 21st round of Corps Commander-level talks, held on February 19th at Chushul-Moldo in the Leh district of Ladakh, saw India reiterate concerns over lingering issues in Depsang and Demchok.
However, sources familiar with the discussions indicate no tangible progress towards disengagement.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) acknowledged the "friendly and cordial" atmosphere of the talks and confirmed ongoing communication through diplomatic and military channels. The statement emphasised the desire for "complete disengagement" along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the restoration of peace.
"The discussions built on the previous rounds, seeking complete disengagement in the remaining areas along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) in Eastern Ladakh as an essential basis for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas," it said in a statement.
The MEA said the two sides shared their perspectives on this in the talks held in a "friendly and cordial" atmosphere.
"The two sides have agreed to maintain communication on the way ahead through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. They also committed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in the interim," it said.
Notably, similar sentiments followed the 20th round of talks in October 2023, highlighting the protracted nature of the standoff.
Army Chief General Manoj Pande recently characterised the situation as "stable yet sensitive," emphasising India's preparedness for any eventualities. He reiterated the goal of returning to the pre-2020 status quo ante.
The Indian delegation at the talks was headed by the Commander of the Leh-headquartered 14 Corps while the Chinese team was led by the commander of the South Xinjiang military district.
India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.
The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.
The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.
As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in 2021 on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.
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