The cancellation of the anticipated Ladakh talks has deepened frustration over the Centre’s proposed constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory. Wangchuk, who travelled to Delhi expecting the meeting, described the earlier October 15 discussions in Leh as a “total failure”.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, October 22: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday accused the Centre of reneging on its commitments to Ladakh after a fresh round of talks between the Union government and Ladakh’s leadership, expected to take place in Delhi, was called off.
Wangchuk, who had travelled to the capital hoping to attend the meeting, said he was informed that the talks would not be held. He accused the BJP-led government of retreating from assurances on constitutional safeguards, an elected legislature and negotiations with Ladakh’s representatives.
“On one hand, China is building pressure. They don’t even recognise Ladakh and say Ladakh is a part of China,” Wangchuk said. “But the country we love is not treating us well. They are moving away from every promise to the extent that they are not giving the people of Ladakh the same status as the rest of the people.”
Wangchuk, who was previously detained for six months under the National Security Act (NSA), also described the October 15 meeting between the Centre and Ladakh’s leadership in Leh as a “total failure”.
“There was no result because the Centre moved away from its promises,” he said in a video statement. “Then they said they would hold the talks again on October 22 in Delhi. So I booked my tickets… but now it is being told that the talks are not being held.”
The October 15 meeting between Union Home Ministry officials and Ladakh representatives ended without a significant breakthrough, despite what the Ladakh leadership described as progress during an earlier round of discussions on May 22.
At the May meeting, Ladakh’s representatives had reportedly scaled back their demands and agreed to consider the Centre’s proposal for a special constitutional arrangement under Article 371, aimed at protecting the region’s identity, land and employment opportunities. The original draft refers to Article 371(K), a designation that should be verified before publication.
Watch | Activist Sonam Wangchuk shared a video on social media and said, “Many of you, especially journalists, have been asking about the talks between Ladakh representatives and the Ministry of Home Affairs, which were scheduled to take place today, October 22. First, let me clarify that the talks held in Leh on October 15 were largely unsuccessful, with no outcome, as the Centre backed away from its commitments. Following that, they said another round of talks would be held on October 22 and asked us to come to Delhi. Accordingly, I booked my tickets and scheduled several other meetings in Delhi. However, we are now being told that the talks may not take place today either. Once again, the Centre appears to be backing away from its commitments. In any case, I am travelling to Delhi and will visit Ladakh Bhawan…”
@Wangchuk66
(Source: Sonam Wangchuk / X)
— United News of India (@uniindianews) October 22, 2026
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The subsequent round of talks, however, exposed continuing differences over the proposed safeguards and the powers of a legislature for Ladakh. The Ladakh leadership argued that the legislature envisaged by the Centre would have limited authority, with powers comparable to those of the existing Hill Councils.
The Home Ministry presented a 32-page draft proposal at the October 15 meeting, but Ladakh’s representatives rejected it, saying it fell short of their expectations. They had been told that another round of discussions would take place in Delhi on October 22, raising hopes of progress on the long-standing demands.
With the latest meeting now off, Wangchuk urged the Centre to resume negotiations without further delay.
“Otherwise, I am sad to say that they are moving away from every promise, whether it is the Sixth Schedule—which was the first promise—or the assembly or the talks,” he said. “They are moving away from the promises, and the people in this border area are very sad.”
The impasse comes amid Ladakh’s continuing demand for stronger constitutional protections and greater political representation. The cancellation of the anticipated meeting has added to frustration among those seeking a negotiated settlement with the Centre.
