New Delhi: India is firm about resolving ‘remaining issues’ in border talks with China and has been repeatedly stating about ‘restoration’ to normalcy in bilateral relations, said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday, June 2.
“….as instructed by the two foreign ministers, both sides (WMCC) agreed that they should continue the discussions through diplomatic and military channels to resolve remaining issues so as to create conditions for restoration to normalcy in bilateral relations. We have been saying this repeatedly,” he said.
“What is important is that they (China) agreed to hold the senior commander meeting at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement at all friction points along the LAC in the western sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols,” he stated.
He, however, said, “I am not aware of any particular date that I can share with you at this point, but I would like to emphasize that we look forward to this commanders meeting at an early date.”
The 24th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
Both sides agreed to hold the next (16th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement from all friction points along the LAC in the Western Sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols.
India-Pak
Answering questions, Mr Bagchi said, “As you know, we have been saying this repeatedly, on the dialogue (with Pakistan) our consistent position has been that we desire normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in a conducive atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence.”
Stating that he would “not like to comment on speculative media reports”, he said – respective High Commissions are functioning and are in touch with their interlocutors in “terms of conversations”.
“As regards the trade part, look, I normally usually won’t comment on general things that I haven’t seen in detail, but yes, we have never felt the trade ties should be stopped, or in fact, we have always been pushing for normal neighbour relations and trade certainly has been part of that,” he said.
He categorically maintained that – “If anything, I think it has been Pakistan who had some concerns on that. From our side, I think this is not something that we have been holding back on.”
