Doval, Wang agree on speedy withdrawal

Sandeep Dikshit

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 6

A conversation between designated Special Representatives of India and China for Border Affairs facilitated Monday’s readjustment of force postures on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at several places in eastern Ladakh.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor-cum-Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on Sunday evening for close to two hours via video-conferencing during which they agreed on the need for a quick withdrawal in the interest of bilateral ties as well as full restoration of peace and tranquillity by completing the disengagement in a phased and step-wise manner, as per a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement.

The Indian side refrained from any blame game and wanted both sides to strictly respect and observe the LAC, desisting from any unilateral action to alter the status quo. “Both sides need to work together by utilising the existing Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs (which did not meet for over a year till it was activated last month),” it noted.

The Chinese readout, while affirming the need for dialogue and forbearance to sort out difficulties on the LAC, also maintained that right and wrong of what recently happened at the Galwan valley was “very clear”.

Wang reportedly told Doval that China would continue “firmly safeguarding territorial sovereignty as well as peace and tranquility in the border areas”, while obliquely commenting on the war phobia generated in the Indian media and calls to crack down on trade ties with China.

“We hope India can work with China to guide public opinion in the right direction… avoid amplifying differences and complicating matters,’’ he said.