Chinese troops begin withdrawing from Ladakh
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed China’s president Xi Jinping for an early resolution to their festering border dispute on Thursday, robust comments that overshadowed a Chinese pledge of $20 billion in investments and support for India’s greater role in the United Nations Security Council.
Modi’s comments, made in the presence of Xi Jinping, came as Indian and Chinese troops faced off in Ladakh, the latest in a string of border incursions that have remained a perpetual irritant in relations that have otherwise improved over increased trade and business.
“I raised our serious concern over repeated incidents along the border,” a stern-looking Modi told journalists with Xi sitting to his right.
“We agreed that peace and tranquillity in the border region constitute an essential foundation for mutual trust and confidence and for realizing the full potential of our relationship,” he said.
The two sides have held 17 rounds of border talks since the early 1990s without making significant progress.
Meanwhile, after heightened tension in Chumar area in Northeast Ladakh for four days, Chinese troops on Thursday night began withdrawing from the Indian territory, official sources said. Chinese troops started retreating into their territory from 9:45 pm, the sources said, adding that Indian army which was present also in large number in the area also started simultaneously reducing their presence in the area, about 300 km east of Leh.
The sources said that a vigil was still being maintained as the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had camped just across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the situation would be reviewed tomorrow.
However, the stand-off in Demchok where Chinese nomads — Rebos — had pitched their tents continued for the 12th day on Thursday. (Agencies)
