Talks between Indian and Chinese army commanders to disengage troops from key friction areas along their border have ended in a stalemate which has failed to ease a 17-month standoff.
The continuing standoff means the two nations will keep troops in the forward areas of Ladakh for a second consecutive winter in dangerously freezing temperatures.
In a statement, India’s defense ministry, said it gave constructive suggestions but the Chinese side was not agreeable and could not provide any forward-looking proposals.
A statement from a Chinese military spokesperson on the other hand said the Indian side sticks to unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding difficulties to the negotiations.
The commanders from both armies met for the talks Sunday after a gap of two months at Moldo on the Chinese side in the Ladakh area.
Since February, both India and China have withdrawn troops from some faceoff sites on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso, Gogra and Galwan Valley, but they continue to maintain extra troops as part of a multi-tier deployment.
Sunday’s talks came amid frustration expressed by the Indian army chief at what he called the massive deployment of troops and weaponry by the Chinese side.
The Chinese statement from Senior Col. Long Shaohua of the Western Theater Command said “China’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty is unwavering, and China hopes India will not misjudge the situation.”
The troops from both sides used to retreat to their traditional summer holding positions around this time, but since the faceoff started in May 2020 have continued to remain close to the disputed border.
Both countries have stationed tens of thousands of soldiers backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets along the de facto border.
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