India-China Talks Stall on Buffer Zone Plans
The ongoing face-to-face negotiations between Eastern Ladakh border commanders of India and China have failed to produce a clear roadmap for demilitarised “buffer zones”, sources say. Although both sides continue to engage diplomatically, no agreement has been reached on pulling back frontline troops or creating neutral zones along the contested stretches of the frontier.
Lack of Agreement on Demilitarised Zones
According to military observers, India has been cautious about proposals that could effectively cede territory by turning claimed lands into buffer zones that China could exploit. China is said to favour wide buffer strips to limit Indian patrol access, while India rejects any arrangement that compromises its territorial claims.
Troop Levels Remain High
Despite the dialogue, the troop presence remains elevated, with estimates of over 60,000 soldiers deployed along both sides of the border in Eastern Ladakh. The lack of visible disengagement undermines confidence in the process.
Strategic Implications
The impasse threatens to prolong the stalemate and complicate broader efforts at normalisation. Indian officials emphasise that any pact must not prejudice India’s claim lines. Analysts warn that without a credible buffer-zone framework and force reduction, the risk of miscalculation remains high.
