FLAG MEET FAILS; KHURSHID WON’T CANCEL HIS VISIT

India and China on Tuesday held their third flag meeting in Chushul in Ladakh to resolve the issue of incursion by Chinese troops 19 km inside in Daulat Beg Oldi but noheadway was made, even as external affairs minister rejected demands that he should cancel his proposed visit Beijing in view of the situation.

The meeting between Brigadier-level officers from the two sides began at 11 am and continued for more than three hours but failed to end the stand-off, defence sources said.

China remained firm on its demand that India should dismantle its infrastructure developed in eastern Ladakh which includes some newly-constructed bunkers at key vantage points and roads constructed close to the Indian perception of the Line of Actual Control, however, India rejected the demand and told the PLA that there should be an unconditional withdrawal of its troops from the Indian territory.

At the Unified Commanders’ Conference also, defence minister A.K. Antony took a tough stand on the issue saying that India was not to be blamed for the incursions as it was “not one of our creation”.

Notwithstanding with the current situation, Mr Khurshid said that as of now there was no plan to cancel his visit to Beijing.

He, however, appeared to keep his options open saying “one week is a long time in politics”.

“Can I cancel my visit? Government has to decide. There is no such decision and there is no reason we should do that but you know one week is a long time in politics, so lets move forward,” he told reporters outside Parliament.

Mr Khurshid is scheduled to travel to Beijing on May 9.