Eastern Ladakh Row: India And China Are Scheduled To Undertake Their 16th Round Of Military Negotiations,On July 17

Even though the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains tight, India and China are expected to restart corps commander-level discussions on the eastern Ladakh border after a break of more than four months.

On Sunday, the 16th session of the negotiations will take place, with the main topics of discussion being a reduction in hostilities at the flashpoints in the Depsang plains, Patrol Point 15, and the Charding nullah at Demchock. Little progress was made in settling the remaining hot spots or removing the troops stationed along the border during the most recent round of negotiations, which took place in March.

Both sides have sent nearly 50,000 soldiers to the border and have fortified their front positions, thus the situation at the LAC is still tense. According to ET, the Chinese air force has been conducting an air defence drill recently, which has resulted in increased air activity in the region. In addition to conducting frequent sorties and keeping a close eye on events over the border, the Indian Air Force has also sent frontline jets to the area.

As part of the ongoing drill, the Chinese air defence network across the border has been activated. Chinese fighter jets had also flown near a contentious border location in late June, leading to an official Indian protest.

The last round of border negotiations ended on March 11, although officials said that discussions on all remaining flashpoints will continue. Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, the commander of the 14 Corps, will serve as the mediator for India.

Since the negotiations began after the Chinese incursions at Galwan in 2020, this is the period of time between rounds of talks at the corps commander level that has been the longest. The Chinese side left their occupation along the Pangong Tso and withdrew forces from Galwan and Gogra during the previous rounds of negotiations, which resulted in a cessation of hostilities. However, there has been little to no progress during the most recent rounds. Both sides have reiterated their commitments on numerous times.