New Delhi: Ahead of a possible meeting of the senior military commanders on Friday, the gulf between the Indian and Chinese side remains wide on deciding on disengagement on the remaining stand-off points in eastern Ladakh.
China on Thursday reasserted that responsibility of the border crisis rests with India, even as New Delhi repeated that it would like to see disengagement in the remaining areas.
According to some Indian reports, the 11th round of military commander talks will be held on Friday. This would be the first meeting in a month after the last round had certified the disengagement at the southern and northern banks of Pangong Tso lake. Indian and Chinese military have been in a stand-off in the western sector since early May 2020.
“As I had outlined last week, we would like to see disengagement in the remaining areas which would lead to de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh and that would hopefully lead to restoration of peace and tranquility and provide conditions for progress of our overall bilateral relationship,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi at the weekly briefing on Thursday.
Also read: Lessons for Modi From Xi Jinping’s ‘Garibi Hatao’ Battle In China
However, he refused to confirm whether the two sides will convene the 11th round of senior commanders meeting on Friday.
Even in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian did not confirm any meeting but added that there had been no delay in talks.
He was silent on India’s repeated call for disengagement in other areas like Depsang and Hot Springs, but underlined the Chinese position that the onus was on India for triggering the crisis.
“I’d like to stress that the ins and outs of the China-India border issue are very clear. The responsibility does not rest with China. It is hoped that India will meet with China halfway, earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strictly abide by the agreements signed by the two sides, and take concrete actions to further ease the border situation,” said Zhao.
