Focus: GS-II International Relations
Why in news?
India and China held the fifth round of Corps Commanders-level talks at Moldo on the Chinese side to take forward the stalled process of disengagement on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Details
- As with earlier rounds, the talks were led by Leh-based 14 Corps commander Lt. Gen. and South Xinjiang military commander Maj. Gen.
- The Corps Commanders of the two sides have held four rounds of talks so far to de-escalate from the build-up in Galwan Valley, Gogra-Hot Springs and the Finger area along the Pangong Tso (lake) in Ladakh sector along the LAC.
- However, there has been no update on the situation at the strategically important Depsang plains.
Situation
- India has demanded that status quo be restored along the unsettled boundary line.
- China had massed troops along the LAC and occupied positions in India’s perception of the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.
- The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that the disengagement process of troops had not yet been completed.
- The first phase of disengagement undertaken in early July remains incomplete with disengagement completed only at Galwan valley and Patrolling Point (PP) 15 in Gogra-Hot springs area.
- With a return to status quo of pre-May positions nowhere in sight, the Army has been preparing for extended deployment and stocking up for the harsh winter in the high-altitude region for the large number of troops deployed along the LAC.
-Source: The Hindu
