India, China will remove forward deployments in a phased manner: Rajnath Singh

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Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that China and India will remove forward deployments in a phased, coordinated manner. Singh’s statement in Rajya Sabha came a day after the Chinese defence ministry said in Beijing that Indian and Chinese troops started “synchronised” disengagement at the south and north banks of Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh.

“We are committed to maintaining a peaceful situation at the Line of Control. India has always emphasised on maintaining bilateral ties,” Singh said in the Upper House.

Our security forces have proved that they are ready to face any challenge to protect the sovereignty of the country, he said.

“Our sustained talks with China have led to agreement on disengagement on the north and south banks of Pangong Lake. After this agreement, India-China will remove forward deployments in a phased, coordinated manner,” the Defence Minister added.

“Many fraction areas are built near LAC in Eastern Ladakh. China has collected heavy force & arms and ammunition near LAC & in the nearby area on their side. Our forces have also adequate & effectively done counter deployment,” he further said.

“We’ve begun talks over North-South bank of Pangong Lake. Some issues over deployment at LAC are yet to be resolved. Both sides agreed that complete disengagement to be done at the earliest,” the Defence Minister said in his statement in Rajya Sabha.

“Since last year, we have maintained relationship with China on military and diplomatic levels. During the talks, we told China that we want solution of the issue based on three principles: First, both parties must agree on LAC and respect it. Secondly, there shouldn’t be an attempt to change the status unilaterally, by any party. Thirdly, all the compromises should be completely agreed upon by both parties,” he added.

Indian and Chinese armies are locked in a bitter standoff in eastern Ladakh for over nine months.

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