Talks between Indian and Chinese army commanders that held at Chushul-Moldo border on Sunday to disengage troops from key friction areas along their border have failed to ease a 17-month standoff.

The two sides focused on the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh during the meeting that started at 10:30 am and lasted for nearly eight-and-half hours.

The talks took place after the two incidents of transgressions by Chinese troops in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh last week.

The defence ministry, in a statement, said the Indian side pointed out that the situation along the LAC had been caused by unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter the status quo and in violation of the bilateral agreements.

Indian commanders further conveyed that it was, therefore, necessary that the Chinese side take appropriate steps in the remaining areas so as to restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the Western Sector.

The meeting was held in accordance with the guidance provided by the foreign ministers of the two countries in their recent meeting in Dushanbe where they had agreed that the two sides should resolve the remaining issues at the earliest.

The Indian side emphasised that such resolution of the remaining areas would facilitate progress in the bilateral relations.

The defense ministry said it gave constructive suggestions but the Chinese side was not agreeable and could not provide any forward-looking proposals. The meeting thus did not result in resolution of the remaining areas, it said.

However, the two sides have agreed to maintain communications and stability on the ground.

“It is our expectation that the Chinese side will take into account the overall perspective of bilateral relations and will work towards early resolution of the remaining issues while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols,” the statement said.

A statement from a Chinese military spokesperson said the Indian side stuck to unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding difficulties to the negotiations.

(Edited by : Bivekananda Biswas)

First Published:Oct 11, 2021 9:39 AM IST