Violating its commitment to commence the de-escalation of tense states at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), China has now deployed around 40,000 troops in the front and much deeper areas in Eastern Ladakh.
Even after a number of talks to rectify the situation, the People’s Liberation Army seems completely disinterested to stand on its words. China isn’t even considering its assurance for disengagement at the friction points in the Eastern part of Ladakh, refusing to retreat back its steps from the Indian territory which was part of the agreed terms.
After a lot of conversations with the top-level officials, including the one with National Security Advisor which took place a few weeks back, there is no evidence of Chinese troops moving back, in fact, they are only advancing further into India.
“The Chinese have not shown any signs of de-escalation as they continue to maintain their heavy troop deployment of almost 40,000 troops supported by heavy weaponry like air defense systems, armored personnel carriers and long-range artillery in front and depth areas,” sources said.
The source added that the disengagement procedure also doesn’t seem to make any development after the meeting which took place last week between both the Corp Commanders. Moreover, their ground positions have been maintained without a single change.
Spreading its troops further, China is unwilling to go out from the Finger 5 area to their respective permanent place in Sirjap. Sources say that this is due to their desire to create an observation post in the Finger area which isn’t part of the terms.
To give more ground to their motives, heavy construction work for the post structures in Hot Springs and Gogra post areas are already in full swing, with most of it completed. These two locations mark the major friction points in the Eastern Ladakh region.
In the Hot Springs and Gogra area, the Chinese have been giving an excuse that India might occupy strategic heights once they retreat to their permanent locations in their side of the border, the sources said.
The most recent meeting between Corp commander officers of the two nations happened on July 14th and 15th. During this, India and China had settled on monitoring the disengagement by the troops of both sides as the same will be verified in the next couple of days.
The NSA gave a clear indication to both the sides for withdrawing their steps back towards their permanent locations. This interaction with the Chinese officials was made to ensure that the issue gets dissolved for both the parties to remain satisfied and content so that matters don’t get worse.
