15th Military Commander Level Talks / China should complete the halted withdrawal of the army, the army should also be removed from Depsang and Demchok, India's bluntly

India has once again asked China to complete the process of withdrawal of the army stuck in eastern Ladakh. In the 15th military commander-level talks of the two countries held on Friday, India clearly asked China to reduce the large gathering of armies of both countries in Depsang and Demchok.

The next round of military commander-level talks between the two countries took place in the Indian territory of Chushul Moldo in Ladakh on Friday. The Indian side was led by Lieutenant-General Anindya Sengupta, Commander of the Leh-based Army's 14th Corps, and the Chinese side by Major General Yang Lin, Chief of the South Xinjiang Military District. The marathon meeting began at 10 am and ended late Friday night. No official statement has been issued yet regarding this talks between the military commanders of both the countries.

China reluctant to restore status in April 2020

Official sources said that China appeared reluctant to accede to the demand for restoration of pre-April 2020 status in eastern Ladakh. China also did not give any indication of a complete withdrawal from the border areas and ending the 22-month-long military confrontation.

Signs of military withdrawal from these areas

However, there are indications that the two sides may at least agree to complete a halted military withdrawal at Patrolling Point-15 (PP-15) in the Hot Springs-Gogra-Kongka La area. According to an official associated with the negotiation process, success in PP-15 is possible as it was discussed during the 12th Corps Commander level talks in July last year.

Standoff on LAC for 22 months

But the standoff in the strategically important Depsang Bulge area does not seem to be resolved. Here the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China is preventing India from patrolling. The PLA is blocking the Indian Army within 18 km, which India considers its territory. China is also not allowing patrolling in Demchok's Charding Ninglung Nala Demchok. There is a standoff between the two countries on the LAC for 22 months. The army has withdrawn from some areas including Pangong Lake, but even now 50 to 60 thousand soldiers of the armies of both countries are stationed there.