NEW DELHI: India strongly protested against Chinese fighter jets flying near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh during military-level talks between the two sides earlier this week.
India’s concerns were expressed during a special round of talks at the Chushul-Moldo border on August 2, official sources said.
The Indian delegation was represented by an Air Commodore and senior army officials. The Chinese team has also deployed a senior Air Force officer of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The Indian side has insisted on avoiding flying activities within 10km of the LAC on both sides and the need for confidence-building measures to avoid unpleasant incidents, the sources said.
This happens just over a month after the Indian Air Force took off the jets in response to Chinese fighter planes spotted flying near the LAC.
A Chinese J-11 fighter jet flew near the LAC in eastern Ladakh in the last week of June. There have been reports of similar incidents previously as well.
India and China have engaged in several rounds of military and diplomatic talks in the aftermath of the Galwan death fight in June 2020. However, this was the first time in the recent past that an IAF officer has joined the talks. sources say.
The deadlock on Ladakh’s eastern border erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the areas of Pangong Lake. Both sides gradually stepped up their deployment by precipitating tens of thousands of soldiers and heavy weapons.
The 16 rounds of military and diplomatic talks since the Galwan death match in June 2020 have had limited success, with several points of friction still unresolved.
However, the two sides had completed the disengagement process on the north and south shores of Pangong Lake and in the Gogra area last year. Each side currently has 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.
(With PTI inputs)
FacebookTwitterInstagramKOO APPYOUTUBE
