INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
India and China are likely to hold another round of Corps Commander-level meeting in the next two-three days, sources have told India Today
The meeting would come at a time when tensions persist between the two sides despite several rounds of military, diplomatic and two top
ministerial-level talks involving Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.On Friday, a high-level meeting
attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, and others, discussed the agenda and issues that
India will raise in this meeting.Sources privy to the developments say India is likely to press for simultaneous disengagement and
de-escalation by the Chinese side in eastern Ladakh.Friday's high-level meeting in New Delhi was called in to review the situation on the
Line of Actual Control (LAC) and India's preparations on the ground.On Thursday, the MEA said India and China has built a consensus on the
need for quick and complete disengagement of troops in Ladakh during the recent ministerial-level meets between the two sides.The MEA said
when EAM Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow on September 10, the two foreign ministers reached an agreement which
outlines the way forward."This meeting followed the meeting that the two defence ministers (Rajnath Singh his Chinese counterpart) had in
There was consensus between the ministers of the two sides, during both the meetings, that there should be quick and complete disengagement
of troops from all friction areas along the LAC," the MEA said.The ministry said India and China should focus on easing tensions in the
friction areas by refraining from any actions that may lead to an escalation in the situation."This requires strict adherence to the
bilateral agreements and protocols, and not making unilateral attempts to change the status quo," it said.Reiterating Rajnath Singh's
statement made in Parliament on September 15, the MEA said India is "committed to a peaceful dialogue" with China, "including through
diplomatic and military channels".Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday said China has made its position very clear
"China's frontline troops have been observing the agreements reached between the two sides
The frontline troops are committed to safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and also maintaining peace and tranquillity
in the border areas," the Chinese Foreign Minister said.He added that it is imperative for India to "immediately correct its mistakes,
realise disengagement on the ground and take concrete action to ease up tensions in the relevant areas"
| Winter arrives in Ladakh, stretchers pile up at standoff zone | Is China avoiding conflict or secretly planning a counterattack against
India?ALSO WATCH | LAC stalemate continues: No clarity on further border talks
