India, China hold Major General-level talks as attempts to end LAC impasse continue

Efforts to break stalemate in Depsang, Demchok ahead of G-20 Summit. India, China hold Major General-level talks to end 2020 stand-off. Expectations of breakthrough, forward movement on ground. PM Modi, Chinese President Xi to attend BRICS Summit in South Africa.

Three weeks ahead of the G-20 Summit hosted by New Delhi, efforts are on for a breakthrough on the ground in the stalemate at Depsang Plains and Demchok in eastern Ladakh as part of overall efforts to end the 2020 stand-off.

Towards this, two Major General-level talks were held on August 18 as a follow-up to the 19th round of Corps Commander-level talks held earlier this week, officials confirmed.

The Corps Commanders-level talks went on for two days this time, an official source said, adding that there were expectations of some breakthrough and forward movement on the ground.

The outcome of the two separate Major General-level talks are still awaited.

The respective Major Generals in the area held talks with their Chinese counterparts, another source stated. India and China have Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points at Chushul and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) in eastern Ladakh.

While expectations are that Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to India for the G-20 Summit on September 9 and 10, he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to attend the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 22-24, though there is no indication as of now of any possible meeting between them on the sidelines.