SRINAGAR: With the rival armies facing each other in a state of high alert, the top officers from the Chinese and Indian army have started yet another meeting at Chushul. The agenda remains unchanged – de-escalation from the heights as the two armies are in sub-human climatic conditions.

Army displays Howitzer guns in Ladakh on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, amid India China tension along LAC KL Image: Special Arrangement

Reports appearing in media said it is the eighth round of talks between the two sides. Lt Gen PGK Menon is leading the Indian side. This is for the first time that he would be leading the talks. He, however, has been part of the process earlier too. Navin Srivastava, a Joint Secretary in MEA, overlooking the China desk is also part of the meeting.

This round of talks is taking place in the backdrop of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh saying that India believes that “differences should not become disputes”. He has insisted that peaceful resolution must take place through dialogue.

The seventh round of talks between the top military officers took place on October 12. However, the deadlock remains. The border standoff has entered the sixth month.

Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat has said the situation remains tense in Eastern Ladakh. “Our posturing is unambiguous and we will not accept any shift in the Line of Actual Control,” Gen Bipin Rawat was quoted saying.

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