Ladakh Leaders Reject Home Ministry Proposal in Fifth Talk Round
Representatives from the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance rejected a government proposal for Ladakh's governance, citing a massive gap in constitutional demands.
The fifth round of talks between the Ministry of Home Affairs and representatives from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) ended without a breakthrough in Leh on October 15, 2026. Ladakhi leaders rejected a 15-page government proposal, describing it as unsatisfactory and failing to address core demands for an elected legislature and constitutional safeguards under Article 371.
Representatives from the LAB and KDA are seeking a legislature equipped with executive, financial, and legislative powers, including control over public funds and taxation. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk characterized the disparity between the government's offer and local demands as being "like that between the sky and the earth," though he noted the meeting was a continuation of deliberations rather than a total failure.
To highlight these discrepancies, the LAB and KDA submitted their own draft to the ministry. The Ministry of Home Affairs agreed to provide a detailed draft for legal review, with the Ladakhi delegation planning to submit a response by October 18. Both parties are scheduled to meet again in New Delhi on October 22 to continue negotiations. Separately, the LAB condemned claims by the Chinese Foreign Ministry regarding western Ladakh, asserting the region is an integral part of India.
