NEW DELHI: India on Monday asked China for “concrete and comprehensive” troop withdrawal of the ‘friction points’ in Pangong Tso, Chushul and Gogra-Hotsprings, as well as the finalization of the roadmap for de-escalation along the entire border in eastern Ladakh.
the Indian army, having gained influence in the negotiation after occupying multiple tactical heights on the southern shore of the Pangong Tso-Chushul area from August 29-30, reiterated the demand for restoration of the status quo ante during the sixth round of military talks on Monday.
But there was no official news about the outcome of the meeting between the delegations headed by the commander of the 14th Corps, Lieutenant General Harinder Singh and Xinjiang South Military District Major General Liu Lin, which started at 9.30am and continued until late at night on the Chinese side of the Moldo-Chushul border personnel meeting point.
The sources said the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was told it “should take the first step” as it had created clashes of rival troops and military build-ups by meddling into Indian territory in multiple locations in early May. “The Indian troops will reciprocate. Otherwise, it was emphasized that India is prepared for the long term, ”said a source.
India has seen “some disconnect” between the five-point diplomatic consensus reached during the September 10 talks between the Foreign Minister. S Jaishankar and his counterpart Wang Yi and the “real reality on the ground” along the Line of Current Control (LAC).
“The PLA continues to strengthen its positions throughout LAC. Doesn’t seem ready for a scaling down just yet. It may be difficult to achieve concrete progress unless China accepts major concessions and the three-step process of disengagement-de-escalation-disinduction, ”said the source.
The Indian military delegation had diplomatic representation for the first time, with MEA (East Asia) Deputy Secretary Naveen Srivastava participating in the negotiations. The Indian side also included Lt. Gen. PGK Menon, who is scheduled to replace Lt. Gen. Singh as 14th Corps commander next month.
As TOI reported on Saturday, the high-powered China Study Group had discussed the different contingencies, as well as preparations for a protracted crisis. The Indian armed forces have already embarked on a massive “winter early stockpile” operation along the border in eastern Ladakh.
Monday’s military talks between rival corps commanders, who last met on August 2, come after the Indian Army’s pre-emptive military maneuver to seize previously unoccupied tactical heights on the ridge stretching from Thakung on the south bank of Pangong Tso to Gurung Hill. , Spanggur Gap, Magar Hill, Mukhpari, Rezang La and Reqin La (Rechin mountain pass) from August 29 to 30.
At the same time, Indian soldiers also occupied heights overlooking PLA deployments on the ridge above ‘Finger-4’ on the north shore of Pangong Tso. The parallel movements have resulted in at least four warning fire incidents that were exchanged after the PLA tried to dislodge Indian troops from the heights between August 29 and September 8. However, neither party has taken aggressive action after the Jaishankar-Wang Yi. September 10.
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