India sits tight on PLA request for flag meet

India appears to be sitting tight on a request made by the People’s Liberation Army for a flag meeting, amidst the continuing border standoff in the Ladakh sector.
The PLA had on Tuesday sought a flag meeting with the Indian Army, in what was being viewed in some circles as China softening its position along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The request is still under consideration and a meeting could take place this week. Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador to India, Le Yucheng, met officials from the ministry of external affairs on Wednesday.

However, sources said the meeting was not related to the border standoff. The two countries are working through diplomatic channels to find a resolution to the stalemate.
Previous flag meetings have failed to end the crisis.
The Indian position is that the status quo of September 10 be restored unconditionally. The situation along the LAC continued to remain tense on Wednesday, with the standoff in Chumar area entering its 14th day.
More than 1,000 Indian and Chinese soldiers are involved in the faceoff, with both armies refusing to back off from the positions held by them.

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