Patrolling limits, resolution of objections: Latest India-China talks aim to set LAC ground rules

As reported by The Indian Express Saturday, the talks at two separate locations were held to decide on the finer details of resolving the existing issues, including the legacy issues along the LAC as well as gaining access to all pre-2020 patrolling points along the LAC. The meetings came within a week of the 19th round of Corps Commanders’ talks between the two sides.

The Indian side was represented at the two locations by Major General P K Mishra and Major General Hariharan, the respective General Officer Commanding of the Trishul Division and a Rashtriya Rifles force which had moved to Ladakh in 2021 from J&K.

The Trishul Division primarily looks after the northern part of eastern Ladakh, including areas along the strategic Durbuk-Shyok-DBO (DS-DBO) road, while the RR force oversees the southern parts of eastern Ladakh.

DBO is located close to the Depsang Plains where Chinese PLA troops continue to deny access to India’s old patrolling points and the entire 972-km stretch. The ongoing issue at Depsang Plains predates the current military standoff between the two countries.

Chushul lies close to the south bank of Pangong Tso, where Indian troops in a surprise operation in 2020 had occupied several heights, thus enabling the Indian side to bring the Chinese PLA to the negotiating table over the north bank of Pangong Tso.

These talks will be followed up further by respective brigade commanders and commanding officers on the ground.

In the 19th round of military talks held last week it was decided to continue regular interaction at battalion levels and chart the roadmap on points agreed on by the two sides in the last military talks.

While there was no forward movement in the last talks, on the existing issues along the LAC, both sides had agreed to resolve them expeditiously.