As India-China Hold Diplomatic Talks, All Eyes On Disengagement Along LAC

India and China held in-person diplomatic talks in New Delhi and discussed proposals for disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

The talks were aimed at disengaging in the remaining friction points along the LAC in a frank and open manner.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that the restoration of peace and tranquility will create conditions for normalising bi-lateral ties. To achieve this objective the two sides agreed to hold the next round of military commander level talks at an early date.

The meeting took place under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC).

"The two sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in Western Sector of India-China border areas and discussed proposals for disengagement in remaining areas in a frank and open manner," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"Restoration of peace and tranquillity will create conditions for normalising bilateral relations," the MEA also said.

"In order to achieve this objective, in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (19th) round of Senior Commander's meeting at an early date," the MEA said in a statement.

The ministry also said that the two sides continued to agree to discussions through both military and diplomatic channels.

Meanwhile satellite imagery shows that China has been scaling up airfields, helipads, railway facilities, missile bases, roads and bridges, for the faster deployment of troops.

The stand-off between China and India is now almost three years old. While disengagement has taken place in several places, there are many more friction points that remain.