A day after the marathon meeting of military commanders of India and China, the government’s high-powered China Study Group (CSG) will hold a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday evening to deliberate on the future course of action on eastern Ladakh sector.
CSG is a government body, headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, which has the cabinet secretary, secretaries of home, external affairs, defence, and representatives of the Army as the members.
On Tuesday, Lt General Harinder Singh, GOC of XIV Corps, held a 15-hour meeting with his Chinese counterpart Major General Liu Lin, Commander of South Xinjiang Military District, at Chushul border point on Indian side. Defence sources claimed that the meeting, which started at 11am, ended at 2am in the morning (4.30am Beijing time).
Defence sources indicate that both sides had detailed discussions, but without any conclusive outcome. It was the fourth round of talks between the two top military commanders, aimed at working on the modalities of next phase of disengagement and subsequent de-esclation between the two sides. Sources said discussion between the two sides was focused mainly on the step of de-escalation (after disengagement) and some understanding about situation in Pangong Tso and Depang plains.
In the first phase of disengagement, both sides have withdrawn from the three friction points— Galwan, Gogra and Hot Spring sector. However, withdrawal from Pangong Tso and Depsang plains continue to be a tricky affair.
Sources claim that Army Chief General M.M. Naravane and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Y.K. Joshi will brief the China Study Group on the developments along the Line of Actual Control. Government sources also said similar discussions are being held by the Chinese side as well after Tuesday's meeting in Chushul.
"It is yet to be decided whether one more round of Corps Commanders meeting is needed or a meeting of India-China Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination (WMCC) will happen. Certain things will be discussed in the CSG meeting, besides deliberation of future course of action on eastern Ladakh sector," said a defence source.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit the eastern Ladakh region on Friday (July 17) to interact with soldiers deployed in the hostile border area. Singh had earlier planned his visit to Leh on July 3, but had to cancel it as Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to make a surprise visit to eastern Ladakh, where Indian and Chinese forces have been involved in an eyeball to eyeball situation for more than two months.
Defence ministry officials claim that Rajnath Singh will also visit Leh military hospital and interact with soldiers who were injured in the June 15 Galwan clash. Singh will be accompanied by Army Chief General Navane during his visit.
"The defence minister is visiting Leh-Ladakh on July 17 and 18 to take first hand account of disengagement process as well as operational preparedness along the LAC," a senior defence official said.
