Chinese incursion: Defence expert calls for demarcation of LAC

As the face-off between New Delhi and Beijing continues in Ladakh despite Chinese President Xi Jinping's assurance, Defence expert Alok Bansal on Saturday said that such issues between the two neighbours would remain as long as there was no clear demarcation of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"The fact is that it is an issue and it will remain an issue till the time the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is delineated. But I don't think it should lead to any serious unpleasant situation because both the armies have come to terms with it, they have evolved norms for dealing with it," said Bansal.

The Chinese President had during his recent three-day state visit to India said that China-India boundary issue is a problem that has troubled the two nations for long, and added that Beijing is determined to settle the border dispute with New Delhi.

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suggestion that there was a need to clarify the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for peace and stability between the two sides, President Xi after the delegation-level talks between the two sides in New Delhi on Thursday said that China and India were capable enough to deal with the fallout from security incidents on the border.

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"China has the determination to work with India through friendly consultations to settle the boundary question at an early date," President Xi said.

"We also have the sincerity to work with India to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas before we are finally able to settle the boundary question," he added.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier called for immediate resolution of boundary issue between India and China, saying that clarity on the Line of Actual Control is essential for improving relations between the two countries.

"We agreed that peace and tranquility in the border region constitutes an essential foundation for mutual trust and confidence and for realizing the full potential of our relationship. This is an important understanding, which should be observed diligently," said Prime Minister Modi.

"While our border related agreements and confidence building measures have worked well, I also suggested that clarification of Line of Actual Control would greatly contribute to our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility and requested President Xi to resume the stalled process of clarifying the LAC," he added.

According to reports, the soldiers of People's Liberation Army, who entered the Chumur area in Ladakh earlier this week, have remained on the Indian territory.