The fifth round of discussions between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Ladakh’s regional delegations, the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, ended without an agreement. The government is expected to present a detailed draft by Friday, as both parties prepare for a follow-up meeting in New Delhi on October 22. These talks aim to address regional demands for elected governance and constitutional safeguards equivalent to Article 371.
The fifth round of high-level negotiations between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives from the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance concluded on Thursday without a consensus. The meeting, held in Leh, aimed to address long-standing demands from regional leaders regarding administrative and constitutional protections for the Union Territory.
During the session, the central government presented a conceptual framework for the region's governance. However, the joint delegation representing Ladakh's interests rejected these proposals, stating that they fell short of the specific needs of the local population. The primary sticking point remains the demand for an elected governance structure and constitutional safeguards similar to those provided under Article 371.
Future Timeline and Draft Review
Despite the lack of an immediate agreement, the dialogue is set to continue. The government has committed to delivering a detailed draft proposal to the delegation by Friday morning. The Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance plan to review this document thoroughly with their legal experts before the next round of discussions. The sub-committee has proposed that the dialogue resume on October 22 in New Delhi.
While activists like Sonam Wangchuk noted that the latest round was underwhelming, the delegation has decided to wait for the formal proposal before taking a final stance.
Stance on Regional Sovereignty
Alongside the internal governance dialogue, the Leh Apex Body also addressed broader geopolitical concerns. In a clear response to recent territorial claims made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry regarding western Ladakh, the group issued a formal rejection. Chering Dorjay Larook, co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body, emphasized that the region has always been an integral part of India, dismissing any foreign interference as baseless. The delegation remains focused on securing administrative control within the framework of national sovereignty.