
Special representatives’ talks on the cards, India, China to restore status quo ante
With India and China agreeing to restore status quo ante on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, both special representatives on boundary resolution, will take place soon to sort out differences in perception over the undefined border, people familiar with the matter said.
While the 10th meeting between military commanders will take place in Chushul on Saturday, the backchannel talks between the special representatives have ensured that no side will unilaterally alter the status quo along the 3488km long LAC and the status quo ante will be restored on all points. Doval and Wang had a video conference on June 7, 2020, and have kept in touch, with external affairs minister S Jaishankar holding the diplomatic end of conversations with Beijing.
Although both Indian and Chinese military commanders have been showcasing their role during the 10-month stand-off, the governments on both sides are taking a step forward to normalise relations on a reciprocal basis.
It is understood that the Indian side has made it clear that it will stand up to any use of force but is willing to discuss and build a positive atmosphere for sorting out all outstanding issues related to the LAC.
“We have conveyed that the two sides can sit together and work their way towards resolving differences in perception over the LAC after China has created positivity by restoring status quo ante on Pangong Tso. There can be no dialogue if PLA uses force but if China can persuade that India is wrong or vice versa on border perception, then the two sides can mutually adjust to the perception line,” said a senior official in the know of the developments.
Also Read | Beijing on diplomatic charge amid pullback
According to national security planners, it is for China to create a positive atmosphere for forward movement in bilateral ties as India will respond in kind and more. “The trajectory that India and China ties take from Pangong Tso disengagement depends on Beijing but the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) withdrawal has been taken in the right spirit in New Delhi,” said a former Indian Army chief.
After the disengagement from Pangong Tso, the military commanders on Saturday are expected to work out the modalities of withdrawal of armour and artillery from friction points at Gogra-Hot Springs and work out the modalities for restoring full patrolling rights to the two sides in the Depsang Bulge area, south of Daulet Beg Oldi sector.

Covid-19 spike: Weekly markets, mass weddings banned in Maharashtra's Palghar

Coaching centres asked to get students' Covid-19 test done in Mahrashtra's Latur

Centre rushes expert teams to 10 states to help manage rise in Covid-19 cases

Govt opposes petitions for same-sex marriage: Here’s what happened in Delhi HC

Are you willing to create more courts for cheque bounce cases: SC asks Centre
- The law prescribes a six-month deadline for trial to complete but an analysis showed that on an average, a case of cheque bounce under Section 138 NI Act remained for three years and eight months in the judicial system.

BJP chief Nadda to be in Varanasi on two-day visit beginning Feb 28

India’s active Covid-19 cases climb to 155,986; tally over 11.06 million

Supreme Court to hear contempt plea on tigress Avni killing today

2 years of Balakot: Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah lead tributes to Indian Air Force

India, Pakistan armies announce ceasefire: All you need to know

UK court clears Nirav Modi’s extradition: All you need to know about case, what follows

Nirav Modi’s extradition: CBI, ED submitted over 40,000 docs to prove conspiracy

IAF strengthened capabilities after Balakot, deployed new acquisitions in Ladakh

Early onset of summer in NW India despite La Nina’s cooling effect?

News updates from HT | Congress asks DMK for 54 seats in assembly polls
- Here are today’s top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.