Stubborn China rejects India's suggestions for peace along LAC

Officials said that during the meeting, the Indian side made constructive suggestions for resolving the issues in the remaining areas but the Chinese side did not agree to them and also failed to provide any forward-looking proposals. 

Another round of talks between India and China remained inconclusive after the latter rejected the "constructive suggestions" put for by the Indian side to resolve the issues along the Line of Actual Control and achieve disengagement.

During the 13th round of talks between Corps Commanders of India and China at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on Sunday, 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. 

The Indian side led by Leh-based 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen PGK Menon urged the Chinese to therefore take necessary measures in the remaining areas to restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC. 

The measures were to be in accordance with the path laid forward by foreign ministers of the two countries -- S Jaishankar and Wang Yi -- during their recent meeting in Dushanbe where they had agreed that the two sides should resolve the remaining issues at the earliest. 

During the eight-and-a-half hour meeting, the Indian side re-emphasised that disengagement and de-escalation in the remaining friction areas would facilitate progress in the bilateral relations. 

Officials said that during the meeting, the Indian side made constructive suggestions for resolving the issues in the remaining areas but the Chinese side did not agree to them and also failed to provide any forward-looking proposals. 

The meeting, therefore, did not result in resolution of the remaining areas, officials added.

According to New Delhi, the Chinese side will need to take into account the overall perspective of bilateral relations and work towards early resolution of the remaining issues while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols.

Beijing, however, remains in total denial mode and blames New Delhi for the talks remaining inconclusive.

The Chinese government mouthpiece, Global Times, quoting the PLA Western Theater Command claimed that New Delhi insisted on unrealistic and unreasonable demands which added to the difficulties to the negotiations.

The Global Times further claimed, "China made tremendous efforts to ease and cool down the border situation. Its determination to safeguard sovereignty is unwavering and China hopes that India will not misjudge the situation."

For now, the two sides agreed to keep communication lines open and maintain stability on the ground.