China, India agree to step back
Local commanders to meet to finalise disengagement process; China apologises for attack
India and China reached a “consensus to disengage” from “all friction areas” in Eastern Ladakh during the Corps Commanders’ meeting between the two armies on Monday.
“There was a mutual consensus to disengage. Modalities for disengagement from all friction areas in Eastern Ladakh were discussed and will be taken forward by both the sides,” said sources on the meeting. The local commanders will meet in the next few days to discuss step-wise process of disengagement at various points in the Ladakh sector.
“It doesn’t matter what the Chinese say on paper. We need to see results on the ground. Within days of agreeing for disengagement on June 6 we had Galwan,” said a senior official. “Disengagement will take some more time. There will be more discussions. But even at Pangong Tso they will have to eventually move out,” he said.
The main friction points between the two armies are Galwan Valley, Hot
Springs, Gogra Post and Pangong Tso.
India, which feels betrayed after the attack on its soldiers on June 15 by the Chinese Army at Galwan valley despite an agreement to disengage on June 6, will wait for things to move on the ground before reaching any conclusion, said sources. The Indian Army is on high alert to prevent any misadventure by the Chinese Army.
Army Chief General M.M. Naravane on Tuesday reached Ladakh to see the operational readiness of Indian Army and discuss operational details with local commanders.
The consensus was evolved during the 11-hour meeting between the representatives of Indian Army and the Chinese Army on the Chinese side of LAC ended at about 11 pm. “The atmosphere was cordial. The Chinese wanted to wrap up at 6 pm but we told them that we want to finish discussion on all points,” said sources.
India protested the premediated ambush of its soldiers by the Chinese. Sources said that Chinese apologised for the Galwan incident and said that it will not happen again.