New Delhi: India and China discussed the possibility of not deploying additional troops and equipment in the area of the ongoing stand-off at eastern Ladakh besides stopping new tents and bunker construction activity in friction areas, ThePrint has learnt.
Sources in the know said the issue was discussed during the Corps Commander-level talks between both countries on 22 June at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point on the Chinese side of the LAC.
The Indian delegation for the talks was led by 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen. Harinder Singh and the Chinese one by the Commander of the South Xinjiang Military District, Major General Lin Liu.
The fresh details of the meeting come amid reports that the Chinese observation post at Galwan Valley that triggered last week’s clash between the two sides — killing 20 Indian soldiers and an unconfirmed number among troops of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) — has been erected again.
“While certain decisions have been arrived at during the talks, the implementation on ground is yet to commence and the de-escalation may take months,” a source said.
According to sources, the discussions imply that “certain formations which were preparing to move will not move for the time being”.
However, the “earmarked troops” will continue to remain on standby and move at short notice should the situation warrant, a second source said.
Sources said the Corps Commanders also discussed not carrying out additional building of posts, tents and bunkers in the friction area. This would include Galwan, where the Chinese had ramped up presence in the week between the talks and the 15 June clash.
At Pangong Lake, the Chinese, who have encroached into the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by 8 km and are squatting at Finger 4 in Indian territory, have built a number of structures and brought in various kinds of equipment.
Also Read: China is on LAC to tell India who the ‘big brother’ is, not to gain territory
‘India has enough reinforcements’
India has inducted nearly three divisions worth of troops in Ladakh since the stand-off began early May. A division roughly comprises anywhere between 10,000 and 12,000 soldiers.
The inductions in the Galwan Valley, Depsang Plains, Pangong Tso, Chushul, Daulat Beg Oldi include not just infantry, but also personnel of the artillery, mechanised forces, armoured and other branches.
Besides this, India has also deployed fighters of the Indian Air Force and the Chinook and Apache attack helicopters.
Sources said India has “more than enough” additional reinforcements in Ladakh including the acclimatised soldiers in reserve.
Owing to the high altitude, the soldiers first undergo an acclimatisation process before they are inducted into forward areas in the region. This acclimatisation process can last as long as two weeks.
Also Read: 100m distance between patrols, no ramming of boats: What Indian, Chinese military discussed
Who in the world believe these Chinese people
We hope our commanders and leadership understand that PLA is just buying time, giving assurances while strengthening their positions for upcoming assault. Sad part is, we are playing reactive and responding rather than putting China in defensive position. This will put us in back-foot. It is not hard to understand that China is using Manmohan’s pact and securing west while claiming east. With Aksai-chin secured, Indians will have no position for negotiation. If this situation continues, Modi is set to become next Nehru and this is what Pak and China wants. We have to change from old approach.
What is the message of this meaningless article? As has become normal for the The Print, the headline is misleading and smells of India being blamed.
Indian soldiers are “killed”. Those of the opposition are either “martyred” or “die”.
Not so subtle. Do you think readers are fools?