Amid the concern being expressed about the possible fallout of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict in the region, India and China will hold the 15th round of Corps Commander-level discussions on 11 March to “try and resolve” the standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.
Sources at MEA say that “what makes the meeting more important is that it is going to be held a fortnight after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar slammed China for “disregarding the written agreements with India on not massing troops at the border. He also held Beijing responsible for the current situation along the Line of Actual Control. After the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries in Melbourne, Jaishankar had said, “Yes, we had a discussion on India-China relations because it was part of how we briefed each other about what was happening in our neighbourhood.” “When a large country disregards written commitments, I think it is an issue of legitimate concern for the entire international community,” Jaishankar had remarked in Australia.
“This is how Jaishankar has been consistently ramping up pressure on China to come to the dialogue table and resolve the current standoff at LAC,” sources said. In what was seen as a panic reaction by Beijing on Jaishankar’s observations, the Chinese foreign ministry remarked that China and India should “follow through” on the border agreements to uphold peace and tranquility at the Line of Actual Control.
“India is going to exert more pressure on China in the upcoming meeting on 11 March for which a strategy has been prepared by the defence officials in consultation with the EAM,” sources added. “Indian side with the help of evidence and documents will explain to the PLA officials that the entire global community agrees that China has violated laws and treaties along the LAC leading to violence and unrest,” a source said.
“When China says that it is interested in peace and tranquility at the LAC, and is keen to find a mutually acceptable solution, why doesn’t it walk the talk,” a foreign service official said, adding, “Beijing is actually more interested in just messaging to the global community.” “What Indian defence and diplomatic establishments are concerned about is that China may try to create problems for India in bordering areas at a time when the international community is focused on the Ukraine conflict,” sources said.
Meanwhile, both sides will focus on achieving resolution of friction in the remaining areas. The efforts to resolve the issue at Patrol Point 15, commonly referred to as the Hot Springs, will be made on 11 March. Moreover, other friction points like Depsang Plains and Demchok, and resumption of patrolling rights along the LAC, will also be discussed. The talks will be held at the Indian side of the Chushul-Moldo Border Personnel Meeting point. Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta will lead the delegation. The last round of discussions between the Corps Commanders took place in January. However, the meeting could not achieve any breakthrough.