Troops have disengaged in most locations, preparing for 5th round of talks: Beijing

A convoy of Indian army vehicles near Khuru Leh making its way towards Easter Ladakh (Photo by WANGAILKAYA)

Four days after New Delhi announced that India and China had agreed on “early and complete disengagement” along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, Beijing Tuesday said border troops of both countries “have disengaged in most locations” following close communication via military and diplomatic channels.

There was no official confirmation or response from either the Indian government or the military to the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement ahead of the fifth round of talks, likely later this week, between Corps Commanders of the two armies.

The military standoff along the Ladakh frontier began early May after troops came to blows on the north bank of Pangong Tso. The Chinese reluctance to step back further from Pangong Tso has stalled the disengagement process and it is likely to be the focus of talks between the Corps Commanders.

“The situation is now continuing to head in the direction of easing and cooling down,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told the Global Times at a press conference Tuesday.

“A fifth round…