(Image source from: wionews.com)

Earlier China pulled back its troops from Galwan valley but was adamant in not vacating the Pangong area. India now firmly tells China to vacate the finger 5 area in Pangong Lake.

Even as the disengagement reached a critical point, where China has moved back 1.8 kms from all areas in the borders, India has firmly told China to vacate the finger 5 area which China is not ready to disengage.

Till now, complete disengagement along the LAC has happened in Galwan valley and hot springs and Chinese troops are yet to vacate Gogra area and the Pangong Lake for which more talks between the two countries are expected to happen.

The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag has said that the disengagement has been done but is not completed yet in all areas.

As per media reports, both the sides are building up in the Pangong area and in this situation, China’s pulling back of its troops seems contrary.

India and China are currently in talks for the 5th round of military talks but India has said that the disengagement is yet to be completed.

Since the 15th June Galwan valley incident, 3 rounds of military talks between India and China have happened on June 22, June 30 and July 14. The working mechanism for consultation and coordination has been discussed in the military talks.

Moreover, senior level talks between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese FM Wang Yi has also happened on July 24.

MEA spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava has said that the aim of bilateral relationship between India and China is to maintain peace and tranquility and he expects that Chinese side would sincelrely work on the disengagement in all areas and brings back peace in the border areas.

The Chinese side on Wednesday said that the front line border forces of the two countries have been disengaged at almost all places along the LAC and the current situation seems to be improved and is devoid of any tensions along the border.

Meanwhile, after India urged China to vacate in finger 5 area, China’s envoy Sun Weidong said that they have not made any new claims at the LAC and the Northern line in LAC and in Pangong area is in accordance with the rules and said that there is no case of China expanding its territorial claim.

While declining to answer on the casualties during the Galwan valley incident, he also said urged Indians to understand the good will of China as they do not want to add more tensions or aggravate the situation at the borders.

By Gayatri Yellayi