NEW DELHI: India will once again demand ‘full de-escalation’ by China at troop engagement sites, as well as along the entire border in eastern Ladakh, according to the first-in-principle principle, first out, during the seventh round of Military talks are now scheduled for October 12.
But as China has not yet shown any real intention on the ground to de-escalate with a clear withdrawal schedule, India remains prepared with a “ high operational military readiness ” to deal with any contingency, said a senior defense official on Sunday.
The next two months are decidedly crucial because once the harsh winter completely sets in in eastern Ladakh, it will end themilitary campaign season‘to either side to launch any large-scale operation in the high-altitude region.
“As of now, it is difficult to predict how things will develop. Starting in December, it will be very difficult for both parties to operate at those heights, ”said another official.
“There will be a very reduced operating efficiency. But our armed forces are oriented to remain deployed throughout the winter, with operational logistics more or less implemented now, “he added.
The October 12 military talks will take place against the background of both sides agreeing not to further escalate tensions by sending additional soldiers to the front during the sixth round on September 21.
The military dialogue, in which there was no progress on the de-escalation proposal, was followed by another round of diplomatic talks. But at the same time, China also upped the ante by once again raising its 1959 unilaterally defined royal line of control, which India has steadfastly rejected in the past.
During the seventh round of military talks, the Indian delegation will include Lieutenant Generals Harinder Singh and PGK Menon (who will replace the former as 14th Corps commander on October 14), as well as Deputy Secretary (East Asia) Naveen Srivastava in Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, the two armies are in regular contact at the brigadier and battalion commander level to avoid “misunderstandings and wrong judgments” and prevent any accidental escalation after four warning firing incidents that were exchanged last month.
The PLA has been insisting that Indian troops abandon the tactical heights they pre-emptively occupied on the ridge line that runs from Thakung on the southern shore of Pangong Tso to Gurung Hill, Spanggur Gap, Magar Hill, Mukhpari, Rezang La and Reqin La (Rechin mountain pass) from August 29 to 30.
But India has responded that it has to be a de-escalation plan of “all of eastern Ladakh”, including the “sticking points” in Pangong Tso, Chushul and Gogra-Hotsprings, as well as the heavy accumulation of PLA in strategically located Depsang-Daulat Beg Oldie sector, as previously reported by TOI.
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