The eighth round of India-China military and diplomatic talks is expected to take place next week to discuss the disengagement in Ladakh, even as the armies of the two countries prepare for the deployment of snow and winter throughout of the Line of Real Control (LAC) of 1,597 km.
According to senior officials, both sides are not impatient for a resolution on the sticking points, but have decided to keep the channels of dialogue open at both the military and diplomatic levels. The talks are also aimed at avoiding any vertical escalation at friction points due to an accident or the aggressiveness of an individual commander.
Although the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has proposed that both sides withdraw the armored and artillery units as part of the de-escalation first and then bet on the disengagement of the infantry, the Indian side is very clear that the armored units cannot withdraw as you would. give the adversary an advantage due to terrain and ability.
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As explained by a senior military commander, the problem is that the Indian army’s approach to the north and south bank of Pangong Tso is via two very high mountain passes: the 17,590-foot Chang La and the 18,314-foot Marsimik La. . While Chang La is among the Marsimik La it is located between the northern shores of the disputed lake and Kongka La. The Gogra-Hot Springs road near KongKa La north of Pangong Tso runs through Marsimik La, which runs from Leh to the disputed southern shore of Pangong Tso.
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“If India were to withdraw its armored units from south Pangong Tso to beyond Chang La or beyond Marsimik La, then they would never return to the disputed points in the worst case, as both passes are blocked by heavy snowfall. until April every year. The PLA, on the other hand, has an advantage as it has a six-lane Kashgar-Lhasa highway just 10 km from Marsimik La and Kongka La with roads leading to their posts, ”said a senior official.
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While the PLA launched an aggression in the Galwan Valley, Gogra-Hot Springs, and the north bank of Pangong Tso in April-May this year, the Indian Army was able to pre-empt its movements south of Pangong Tso to occupy the Pangong Tso mountain range. Rezang La -Rechin La in the last week of August. The situation remains tense as the PLA is deployed entirely in occupied Aksai Chin, as well as deep areas as far as Chengdu and Kashgar. The PLA air force continues its combat patrols in the area with active nearby air bases.
Under the circumstances, the Indian Army and the PLA are deployed to the disputed points with the distance maintained to rule out any possibility of accident. Indian medical facilities have been installed throughout LAC so that victims of altitude sickness receive immediate treatment and do not wait for the heli-lift to a specialized hospital in Hundar in Partapur.
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