Eleventh round of India-China Corps Commanders meet concluded in Chushul, no concrete outcomes yet

The 11th round India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on 09 April 2021. The talks commenced at 10.30 AM and lasted for 13 hours and the Indian Delegation was led by Lt Gen PGK Menon, Corps Commander of Leh based XIV Corps. After the disengagement was succesfully executed at Pangong Tso, the tenth round of talks happened on 24 Februaury and the latest meeting happened almost after a month and half.

The discussion in last meeting focused on further disengagement at three friction points in Eastern Ladakh, including Gogra heights, Hot Springs and Depsang plains. India had communicated to China that the border issues in entire Eastern Ladakh has to be taken up as a whole and disengagement should happen across all disputed areas. The eleventh round meeting was expected to happen for a long time, but finally materialised on 09 April and was crucial from Indian standpoint as India wanted Depsang issue also to be resolved simultaneously.

The Corps Commanders discussed disengagement at friction areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and the 900 sq-km Depsang plains in the eleventh round as well. However the press release issued by the Ministry of Defence does not indicate much movement forward as far as future disengagement plans are concerned. It says, “The two sides had a detailed exchange of views for the resolution of the remaining issues related to disengagement along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. The two sides agreed on the need to resolve the outstanding issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols. In this context it was highlighted also that completion of disengagement in other areas would pave the way for two sides to consider de-escalation of forces and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquility and enable progress in bilateral relations. The two sides agreed that it was important to take guidance from the consensus of their leaders, continue their communication and dialogue and work towards a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest. They also agreed to jointly maintain stability on the ground, avoid any new incidents and jointly maintain peace in the border areas.”

It appears that both sides have stuck to their stated demands and things are moving forward very slowly. However the underlying sentiment of the press statement is positive and hopefully some concrete steps are taken before onset of summers in the high altitude areas.