Differences seem to have emerged between India and China over the next steps their armies need to take to further ease tension along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
After surprise breakthrough in February that saw both sides pulling troops and equipment back from the brink in Pangong Tso, Beijing wants the two armies to de-escalate or withdraw additional troops brought in as back-up to those in the front.
This is a change in Beijing's position from what the two sides had discussed in February.
New Delhi insists on disengagement from the remaining friction areas along the disputed Himalayan frontier first.
These were part of the proposals exchanged between the two sides at the 11th round of Corps Commander level talks held last week, sources in the security establishment said.
De-escalation before disengagement could give China an advantage as it can move troops back to the frontline much faster than India due to the better infrastructure on its side of the Himalayan frontier. The China Study Group will meet soon to take stock of the talks and discuss the proposal sent by China and the Indian response. A key member of the group, Army chief Gen MM Naravane.
De-escalation or disengagement?
New Delhi and Beijing have agreed that further escalation of tensions is in nobody's interest but there is a difference between the modalities of the steps to be taken next and the order of those steps.
India is insisting on disengagement because troops are facing each other off in at least four other locations. Last week, it was explained how China was dragging its feet on disengagement at other friction points, including what experts say are the low-hanging fruits of Gogra and Hot Springs. Army, after discussing with the MEA in a statement had said, "it was highlighted also that completion of disengagement in other areas would pave the way for the two sides to consider de-escalation of forces and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquility and enable progress in bilateral relations".
At the 10th round of Corps Commander level talks, held in February after the Pangong Tso disengagement process and broadly agreed on some steps in the Gogra and Hot Springs area, sources said. However, China switched to talking about de-escalation in the 11th round.
Infrastructure advantage
While While Army officers refused to discuss the issue saying that whatever had to be said had been mentioned in the Army press statement, a veteran explained that the Chinese have better infrastructure on their side and this would allow the PLA to move troops back to the frontline much faster than India.
Considering the low trust levels between the two sides, India wants to make sure that the disengagement happens first which will then pave the way for de-escalation.
The Army has already implemented a series of deployment changes in Ladakh for the summer and has also redrawn the Order of Battle (ORBAT) as one of the steps planned to counter China.
- Adapted from the article of Snehesh Alex Philip in ThePrint
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by 10. Two calls - one from the caretaker and the other from my aunt delayed me. The broken tree branches hovering close to the truss work have been cut, prepared and piled up near the base of the Mahogany in the courtyard.
Rema, Padmakumar, chettan and Achu had gone to Kidangoor and Ettumannor towards wedding invitation in the afternoon.
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