India says disengagement process by the Chinese at the Western sector not yet completed
“We expect the Chinese sides will sincerely work with us for complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas,” MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivasta said.
By IAR Desk
India on Thursday, July 30, 2020 announced that the disengagement process at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the India China border has as yet not been completed.
“The disengagement process has as yet not been completed,” said Anurag Srivastava, the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs said at a weekly virtual press briefing. There has, only been “some progress made towards this objective” he said, referring to the commitment made by the Indian and chinesC sides at the 17 May meeting between the WMCC where both sides had reviewed the situation on the India China border along the LAC in the Western sector and had agreed to an “early and complete disengagement of the troops and deescalation from the India China border areasin accordance with bilateral agreements and protocols and full restoration of peace and tranquility” which was essential for “smooth overall development of bilateral relations.”
In their talks later on in July 5 and after the deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley, the special representatives – National Security Advisor Ajit Doval from the Indian side and Foreign Minister Wang Yi from the Chinese side – had also reiterated the agreement.
Two days ago China had claimed that frontline troops of the two countries have “completed” this exercise at most locations along their border, reported the Press Trust of India (PTI). China had also said that the situation on the ground was easing.
Today’s statement by the Ministry has refuted those claims.
Stating that “the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas is the basis of our bilateral relationship,” Srivastava said that India expects the Chinese side to sincerely work for complete disengagement and deescalation.
“We expect the Chinese sides will sincerely work with us for complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas at the earliest as agreed to by the Special Representatives.”
The senior commanders of the two militaries will be meeting in the “near future” to work out steps to complete the process of disengagement.
