India, China Hold 17th Round Of Corps Commander-level Talks On Ladakh Standoff

Thirteen days after the last skirmish in the Tawang sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, India and China held the 17th round of the Corps Commander-level Meeting on December 20 to resolve remaining issues in the military standoff in Eastern Ladakh. 

No immediate outcome was reported in the statement issued by India’s Ministry of Defence, although the two sides “agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector”. 

Consensus reached in the last round of Corps Commander-level talks held on July 17 had led to troop disengagement in the Gogra-Hotsprings area (Patrolling Point 15) in September. Issues related to Demchok and Depsang are lingering.  

“Building on the progress made after the last meeting on 17th July 2022, the two sides exchanged views on the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in an open and constructive manner. They had a frank and in-depth discussion, keeping in line with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest which would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations,” the Indian statement elaborated. 

“In the interim, the two sides agreed to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest,” the statement added. 

The 17th round of Corps Commander-level talks was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Chinese side. 

Vishal Thapar

BW Reporters Group Editorial Head for BW’s Defence, Security & Police