October 17, 2020 4:45:07 am
FILE PHOTO: A view of Pangong Tso Lake in the Ladakh region on July 27, 2019 (REUTERS / File Photo)
China’s insistence that India abandon its forward positions on the southern bank of Pangong Tso as a precursor to discussions over Delhi’s demand for a status quo before April has emerged as the new sticking point in efforts to resolve the standoff. along the Royal Line of Control in Ladakh, senior government sources said on Friday.
The sources said Delhi insists on the simultaneous withdrawal of forces from the north bank of Pangong, where Chinese troops have crossed the point that India says marks LAC, and advanced Indian positions on the south bank to mutually agreed locations. A source in the ruling system, familiar with developments on the Ladakh border, said India crossed LAC in “seven places” to counter Chinese transgressions.
“We have crossed in seven places. Why do you think China is still at the negotiating table? ”Said the source. The Chinese demand comes in the context of Indian troops occupying forward positions, beyond their patrol points, in the Chushul subsector towards the end of August.
These positions on the southern shore of Pangong Tso allow the Indians to dominate the region because they not only overlook the Spanggur Gap, but also the Chinese garrison in Moldo.
“In their last talks, they (the Chinese) wanted India to first abandon the positions of the southern banks. India demanded that both banks be vacated by both parties simultaneously in mutually agreed positions, “the source said.
This assessment of the Indian establishment, after the seventh round of talks between the commanders of the Indian and Chinese corps last Monday, underscores the military standoff that began in early May.
The Indian political establishment, however, remains cautious of Beijing’s commitment despite the talks Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held with their Chinese counterparts in Moscow.
“The talks between the Ministers of Defense and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both sides were on similar lines. Beijing just says it wants peace and quiet on the border between the two countries. But this is what India also wants. They (the Chinese), however, do not explain the reason for the accumulation of troops, ”said the source.
Kuchh bhi ho sakta hai. Vishwas nahin hota hai China par. We are prepared for any eventuality, ”the source said, noting that enough winter supplies have been made available to Indian forces to reflect the Chinese build-up on the Ladakh border.
A joint statement after the seventh round of talks last Monday stated: “Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and to reach a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement as soon as possible.” He did not mention the negotiating points of either party.
Given the complex and sensitive nature of the negotiations, the two sides have kept details and positions confidential during the talks.
“The discussions are underway; what is happening is something confidential between us and the Chinese, “Foreign Minister Jaishankar said in response to a question about the China-India talks at a meeting of the Bloomberg India Economic Forum on Thursday. “There is not much I am in a position to say in public. I certainly don’t want to prejudge him, ”he said.
With temperatures dropping in Ladakh, troops on both sides are preparing for a prolonged deployment during the harsh winter months.
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