LAC Stand-Off: India-China Corps Commander Level Talks Underway

Commander level talks of the rank of Lieutenant-General between India and China are underway to ease the tensions on the border and discuss the modalities of disengagement of troops on both sides, media reports stated. The meeting, the third of its kind, is scheduled to be held at Chushul on the Indian side and was meant to begin at 11.00 am. The Indian side will once again be represented by Lt. Gen. Harinder Singh who put forth India's position in the earlier two meetings which were held in Moldo on the Chinese side.

Chinese and Indian troops had earlier, decided to hold discussions on disengagement and on June 6, came to an understanding. However, even as the process of disengagement was on, Chinese troops attacked Indian soldiers on June 15. Twenty Indian soldiers including the Commanding Officer of the unit Colonel Santosh Babu, were martyred in the violence which took place in Galwan Valley of Eastern Ladakh.

A second round of discussions on June 22, a week after the violence at Galwan proved to be inconclusive. However, both the sides are said to have agreed to continue the process of dialogue to take disengagement forward.

Experts and defence analysts say that the process of disengagement could take months. They say that as troop build-up and fortifications on both sides at the Line of Control (LAC), suggest, India should prepare itself for a long haul. The clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh is reported to be the worst ever confrontation between the two sides in 43 years.