China on Wednesday said that 15th round of military commander level talks with India on the border issue will be held on 11th March and hoped that both sides can make a further step forward in resolving the remaining friction areas in eastern Ladakh border.
Announcing this at the daily press briefing in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, “We hope at the upcoming talks, on the basis of previous meetings, can move forward, further enlarge consensus, narrow differences and work for a solution that is acceptable to both parties.” Mr. Zhao Lijian told the media that “in the last round of talks, the two sides had a candid, in-depth exchange of views the relevant issues about the west section of the China-India boundary and issued a joint press release.”
The two sides will hold the next round at Chushul Moldo meeting point in Ladakh on Friday to end the 22-month standoff at the remaining friction areas, according to Indian officials. The talks till now have resulted in the resolution of issues in the North and South banks of Pangong Tso, Galwan and Gogra areas.
Despite a joint statement being issued after the 14th round of border talks that took place on January 12 this year, there was no fresh breakthrough. Recent statements by both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution have been encouraging and positive in nature, they noted.
Experts, however, observed that even though China has been talking about the mutual trust and practical cooperation with India, but there was no visible manifestation of China taking any tangible actions in this regard.
Contrary to it, China fielded a controversial Chinese PLA commander involved in Galwan clashes as a torch bearer at the 2022 Winter Olympics and politicized the Olympic games, forcing India to boycott it at the last moment.