We expect China to work towards disengagement in remaining areas: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said it expects China to work with it through existing bilateral consultation mechanisms between their diplomats and military commanders to ensure early completion of the disengagement process in the remaining areas in eastern Ladakh to allow both sides to consider de-escalation of forces.

At a weekly media briefing here, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a detailed discussion with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi last week and agreed to set up a hotline, details of which would be worked out through diplomatic channels.

“...It is our expectation that the Chinese side will work with us both through the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Cooperation on Indiachina border issues and the senior commanders’ meetings to ensure that disengagement in the remaining areas is completed at the earliest.”

Desire normal ties with Pak

Talking about the observance of the India-pakistan ceasefire agreement, Srivastava said, “I will direct you to the Ministry of Defence... India desires normal relations with all its neighbours, including Pakistan. We have consistently maintained that issues, if any, between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully. Our position on key issues remains unchanged.”