New Delhi: The disengagement of troops in Pangong Lake area in Eastern Ladakh is a significant step forward for resolution of other remaining issues along the LAC in the western sector, India and China said in a joint statement on Sunday after their 10th round of military talks.
The two sides also agreed to follow the important consensus of their state leaders, continue their communication and dialogue, stabilise and control the situation on the ground and push for a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues in a steady and orderly manner so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.
The statement came after the nearly 16-hour-long Corps Commander-level talks at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control that began at around 10 AM on Saturday and ended at 2 AM on Sunday.
The two sides positively appraised the smooth completion of disengagement of frontline troops in the Pangong Lake area noting that it was a significant step forward that provided a good basis for resolution of other remaining issues along the LAC in the western sector, the joint statement said.
They had candid and in-depth exchange of views on other issues along the LAC in the western sector, it added.
The talks took place two days after both the militaries concluded the withdrawal of troops and weapons from North and South banks of Pangong Tso in the high-altitude region.
In the talks, India is learnt to have insisted on a faster disengagement process in areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang to bring down tension in the region.
On Saturday evening, sources had said that bringing down the tension in the region was the broad priority of the talks.
PTI

Press Trust of India