- The Home Ministry shared its first written draft on the elected body and Article 371(K) safeguards on 15 October.
- Ladakh leaders said the gap between the two drafts was large; the powers of the body were the main dispute.
- The next round of talks is set for 22 October in New Delhi.
On 12 October 2026, LAB warned of a winter agitation if the Centre came without a draft. At the fifth round of sub-committee talks in Leh on 15 October, Home Ministry officials presented a 15-20 page draft and a slide presentation, and the Ladakh groups handed over their own proposal. LAB's Chering Dorjay Lakrook said there was a "significant gap". Wangchuk said the meeting was "not satisfactory" but should not be called a failure. Both sides agreed to meet in New Delhi on 22 October.
Claim by claim
The Home Ministry submitted a draft proposal of 15 to 20 pages.
Said by Chering Dorjay Lakrook, LABLakrook told The Indian Express this; other reports confirm a draft and presentation were shared. The Hindu described a 15-page draft roadmap.
The Indian Express · The Times of IndiaThe powers of the proposed elected legislature were the main sticking point.
The Indian Express, citing sources, and The New Indian Express, citing the groups' demands on taxation, budget and home affairs, both point to powers as the core dispute.
The Indian Express · The New Indian ExpressThe draft is unclear on the body's name, its ministers' powers, its constitutional validity and the subjects under it.
Said by Unnamed senior Ladakh leaderThe draft has not been made public and the ministry has not commented, so this cannot be checked.
The Indian ExpressWhat each side says
They stand by demands for a legislature and Article 371(K) safeguards with "no dilution", and want the elected body to control taxation, the budget, public funds and home affairs. KDA's Sajjad Kargili called the draft "full of flaws".
The Indian Express · Hindustan Times · The New Indian ExpressThe ministry presented its draft and agreed to another round on 22 October. Hindustan Times reported no immediate response from the ministry to the groups' criticism.
The Indian Express · Hindustan TimesStep by step
LAB warns of a winter agitation if no draft is presented at the next meeting.
Sub-committee talks begin in Leh and run about four hours.
Not yet known
- ?The full contents of the Home Ministry's draft, which has not been published.
- ?Whether the ministry will revise the draft before 22 October.
Sources
4 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.
- The Indian ExpressHome Ministry presents 20-page draft on Article 371(K), but Ladakh talks hit deadlock over legislative powers
- The Times of IndiaLadakh talks inconclusive, next meet on October 22
- Hindustan TimesLeh body warns of agitation in Ladakh if Centre fails to present draft on constitutional safeguards
- Hindustan TimesLadakh bodies dub MHA's draft proposal 'full of flaws'
- The New Indian ExpressNo breakthrough in Ladakh talks with Centre; next meeting on October 22
Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.