LAC issues remain, India pushes for early solution

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, April 2

The lack of progress for over a month in disengagement has led India to remind China about the consensus between their foreign ministers on February 25 for quickly resolving the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

The MEA’s comments on the LAC closely follow India’s critical but guarded observations on a WHO-convened global study about the origin of Covid-19 over which western countries want to corner China.

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Arindam Bagchi, MEA spokesperson

‘Build up on Jaishankar-Wang consensus’

As the External Affairs Minister had pointed out to [the] Chinese Foreign Minister, a prolongation of the situation is in neither side’s interest.

China replied to India’s comments on the WHO study today with a reasoned repudiation of points raised by India. South Block is also evaluating Chinese investment proposals worth $2 billion that have been on hold since April last year.

“As the External Affairs Minister had pointed out to [the] Chinese Foreign Minister, a prolongation of the situation is in neither side’s interest,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi at the weekly media briefing.

The February 25 talks between the foreign ministers, which took place five days after the Pangong Tso disengagement, had touched upon the setting up of a hotline. There has, however, been no response as yet even to Indian overtures for a meeting of the WMCC to take forward the agreement reflected in the statements after the Jaishankar-Wang talks.

Bagchi reiterated Jaishankar’s formulation of further progress in ties being linked to disengagement in the remaining areas at the earliest. “The disengagement in the Pangong lake area was a significant step forward and it has provided a good basis for resolution of other remaining issues along the LAC,” underlined the MEA spokesperson.