New Delhi:India and China discussed disengagement in remaining friction areas of Eastern Ladakh for over 12 hours on Friday, a top defence told UNI on Saturday. The 15th round of Corps Commander level dialogue between India and China on the Indian side of Chushul Moldo border junction started at 10.30 am on Friday and concluded approximately by 11 pm, the sources confirmed. India pressed for disengagement at Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra Hot Springs area to ensure disengagement and thereafter de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh, they said. As pert the established norm, the outcome of the talks is discussed among top echelons in the defence, security and foreign affairs set-ups before a formal statement is issued to the media. Before the talks held on Friday, India and China had conducted 14 rounds of dialogue. After the first 14 rounds of talks, the areas that were yet to be resolved in Eastern Ladakh were PP15, Demchok and Depsang where the Chinese have remained adamant. Sources in the defence establishment said that “recent statements by both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution have been encouraging and positive”. The 15th round of India China talks have been held in slightly changed global circumstances. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that India and China “should not allow territorial disputes left over from history to affect the overall interests of bilateral cooperation”. More than 50,000 soldiers continue to be deployed on both sides of the Line of Actual Control. Altering the May 2020 status, the People’s Liberation Army of China also carried out construction of infrastructure near the LAC to ensure long survival of troops in the high altitude area. UNI ASU ING
