India, China affirm 'completion of Pangong disengagement', agree to continue dialogue to resolve remaining issues along LAC
Feb 21, 2021
New Delhi [India], February 21 : India and China "positively appraised" the smooth completion of disengagement of frontline troops in the Pangong Lake area and agreed to continue their communication and push for a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector.
The exchange took place during the 10th round of the China-India Corps Commander level meeting. The meeting was held on the Chinese side of the Moldo/Chushul border meeting point on Saturday, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The Ministry said the two sides had a "candid and in-depth" exchange of views on other issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector.
The tenth round of Corps commander level talks between India and China concluded after 16 hours at Moldo as the discussion focused on further disengagement at three friction points in Eastern Ladakh, including Gogra heights, Hot Springs and Depsang plains, Army sources said.
This latest round of talks comes two days after completing the disengagement process from both the north and south banks of Pangong Lake.
"The two sides positively appraised the smooth completion of disengagement of frontline troops in the Pangong Lake area noting that it was a significant step forward that provided a good basis for resolution of other remaining issues along the LAC in Western Sector," the statement read.
"They had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on other issues along the LAC in the Western Sector. The two sides agreed to follow the important consensus of their state leaders, continue their communication and dialogue, stabilize and control the situation on the ground, push for a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues in a steady and orderly manner, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," it added.
The two countries have had a stand-off along the LAC since April-May last year due to actions of the Chinese army and have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks.
