India, China ‘committed’ to disengaging at LAC

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 24

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today said the issuance of a joint press release after the latest meeting of Indian and Chinese military commanders reflected the “commitment of both sides to disengage along the LAC”.

This was the first joint press release after any senior commanders’ meeting, said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava. The meeting was critical to ensuring stability on the ground, he said. It was decided not to increase troops on the border or unilaterally change the status quo. These steps were essential in view of the past two instances of extreme aggression that led to shots being fired on the LAC.

The way ahead: MEA

• Both sides must refrain from making any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo along the LAC
• They must continue discussions to achieve complete disengagement

It is unusual for the Foreign Office to comment on the meeting of senior military commanders although the last round of talks was not a purely military affair and included representation from the MEA.

Srivastava hoped the way ahead would be to refrain from making any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo, while the two sides continue their discussions to achieve complete disengagement. He said the two sides have decided to hold the next meeting of the senior commanders at the earliest, besides a meeting of the inter-ministerial MEA-led working mechanism on consultation and coordination.