BREAKING THE ICE

After series of meetings at the local commander’s level in parts of Ladakh finallyIndian and Chinese armies held Lieutenant General-level talks in their first major attempt to resolve the month-long border standoff in eastern Ladakh. This development regarded by observers as a path breaking development aimed at breaking the ice between the two hostile armies in eastern Ladakh.

The Indian delegation was led by Lt General Harinder Singh, the general officer commanding of Leh-based 14 Corps, while the Chinese side was headed by the Commander of the Tibet Military District, media reports said.

The talks were held at the Border Personnel Meeting Point in Maldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. All such talks have been pointing to positive direction as earlier, many experts express their doubts that the standoff may take a turn of some brief gun battle or invasion.

Without specifically mentioning the talks, an Indian Army spokesperson said: “Indian and Chinese officials continue to remain engaged through the established military and diplomatic channels to address the current situation in the India-China border areas.” Such a guarded statement from the army spokesman speaks volumes of how the government and army want to handle this issue with utmost care and caution. In such a situation, it is expected that it may take more time for both armies to agree for the disengagement in many parts of Ladakh especially in Galwan valley.

Government of India has also indicated by its statements that they were engaged with the Chinese government and were keenly looking for an amicable solution to the present standoff. Even the Chinese government has recently said that they can handle the situation bilaterally and do not need any third party intervention.