No change in stance on LAC: Govt

NEW DELHI: Asking for the ongoing mutual redeployment at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China not to be misrepresented, the government on Thursday said there was absolutely no change in India’s position on the LAC. The government said in a statement that it is fully committed to observing and respecting the LAC and that any unilateral attempt to change the status quo along it is not acceptable.
The disengagement process currently under way in the western sector is specifically aimed at addressing “face-off situations and close-up deployments of troops” along the LAC, said the external affairs ministry. “It is based on an understanding between senior military commanders. Both sides have agreed at specific points to re-deploy towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC,” said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.
Refuting allegations that India’s position had changed, the official said the process of disengagement along the LAC is complex and so “unsubstantiated and inaccurate” reports need to be avoided.
The official recalled that India and China have been engaged in discussions through established diplomatic and military channels to address the situation along the LAC in the border areas.
The Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question — Ajit Doval and Wang Yi respectively — had discussed the situation on July 5. A meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was also held on July 10.
“In these meetings, the two sides have agreed on complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC and de-escalation from India-China border areas for full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas in accordance with bilateral agreements and protocols,” said the official.