China’s insistence on India vacating its advanced positions on the south bank of Pangong Tso as a discussions on Delhi’s demand for status of April has emerged as the new sticking point in efforts to resolve the military standoff along the LAC in Ladakh, highly placed government sources said Friday.
Delhi is insisting on simultaneous withdrawal of forces from the Pangong north bank where Chinese troops have crossed the LAC and advanced Indian positions on the south bank to mutually agreed locations. A source in the ruling establishment, familiar with developments on the Ladakh frontier, said India crossed the LAC at “seven places” to counter the Chinese transgressions.
Have crossed over at seven places. Why do you think China is still at the negotiating table?” the source said. The Chinese demand comes in the backdrop of Indian troops occupying advanced positions, beyond its patrolling points, in the Chushul sub-sector.
Pure military terms, thinning out of artillery and tank support from the friction points does not work in favour of the Indian Army as the PLA has built roads right up to Beijing’s perception of LAC and has the capacity and capability to deploy much faster than Indian armour.
These positions on the southern bank of Pangong Tso allow Indians to dominate the region because they not only overlook the Spanggur Gap, but also the Chinese garrison at Moldo.
Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement as early as possible.” It did not mention the points of negotiation by either side.
With temperatures goes down in Ladakh, troops on both sides are bracing for extended deployment during the harsh winter months.
