Srinagar, Mar 17: Government of India (GoI) Wednesday reiterated that it will continue the discussion with the Chinese side to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh to achieve the objective of disengagement from all the friction points and restore peace.
In a written reply to a query in Lok Sabha, the MoS Home, GK Reddy said that India’s engagement with China is complex.
“The two sides agree that the future direction of India China relations should be built upon respecting each other’s sensitivities, concerns and aspirations. The two sides have also agreed to manage their differences and not allow differences on any issue to become disputes,” Reddy said in his reply.
Reddy said that the two sides agree that the pending final settlement of the boundary question, maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas is an essential basis for the overall development of the bilateral relationship.
“Since April/May 2020 the Chinese side undertook several attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector,” he said.
The reply also reads that the two sides have maintained communication through both diplomatic and military channels to ensure complete disengagement from all friction points and full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas.
Maintaining that the two sides have mutually decided to disengage, the Minister said that the two sides were able to reach an agreement on disengagement in the North and South Bank of the Pangong Lake, which has been completed.
“There are however still some outstanding issues with regard to deployment and patrolling at some other points along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh”, the Minister said.
“Government will continue discussions with the Chinese side to resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh and achieve the objective of disengagement from all friction points and restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas at an early date,” the MoS said in a written reply.