India wants China to vacate Hot Springs and Gogra; next meeting likely in days
"When the PLA can remove structures and troops, which were in thousands, in Pangong Tso, they can also disengage from these two areas where only one platoon consisting of 30-35 personnel has been deployed," a senior Army official told Asianet Newsable.
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FollowThe 12th round of senior Corps Commanders-level meeting between India and China will be held within ten days. The Indian side expects that the consensus would be arrived on carrying out the disengagement process from Hot Springs and Gogra areas.
On being asked about the restoration of April 2020 status, a source in the defence establishment said, "It would take a long time. There is a trust issue between two sides, and that is the reason why it is delayed."
Stating that the date for the meeting is yet to be finalised, he said that a decision on the same would come in the next 2-3 days.
"We are hopeful that the consensus would be built on Gogra and Hot Springs areas," he added.
In these areas, only one platoon consisting of 30-35 personnel has been deployed.
In February this year, the two sides had disengaged from North and South of the Pangong Tso areas. The Chinese had created permanent structures but had to demolish them before being withdrawing from the areas.
"When they can remove those structures and troops, which were in thousands, they can also disengage from these two areas," a senior Army official said.
On being asked about the status of Demchok and Depsang, the official said, "India had always been raising these issues in every meeting. Patrolling from both sides have been stopped for a long time at three points in the Depsang areas. In this meeting, these issues will be raised."
The 11th round of military talks was held in April this year at Chushul on the Indian side.
In February, the 10th round was held within two days after the disengagement process was completed. Both sides agreed to push for a mutually acceptable solution of the remaining issues in a "steady and orderly" manner to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
India and China have been engaged in a border standoff for over a year now at multiple locations in eastern Ladakh and has even seen violent face-offs between the troops of two sides in the Galwan Valley on June 15 last year.
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