By Arré Bench May. 26, 2020
As the world comes to terms with the coronavirus pandemic and life after lockdown, tensions have mounted between India and China in the Ladakh region. Reports have stated that the Chinese military is fast increasing its troop presence around Pangong Tso and Galwan Valley along the Line of Actual Control.
As the world comes to terms with the coronavirus pandemic and life after lockdown, tensions have mounted between India and China in the Ladakh region. Reports have stated that the Chinese military is fast increasing its troop presence around Pangong Tso and Galwan Valley along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Tension mounts in Ladakh as China brings in more troops; India maintains aggressive posturing
There were reports of multiple transgressions by Chinese troops in Eastern Ladakh region in the last one week.https://t.co/vb7cOuADnf pic.twitter.com/fx6is3iAnI
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) May 23, 2020
Satellite images have confirmed the troop buildup by the Chinese, with durable tents visible along with heavy trucks.
#Exclusive
The first satellite images of the #Ladakh stand off between Indian and Chinese troops have emerged. Nathan Ruser (satellite imagery expert) shares his views on this. #ITVideo
(@shivaroor) pic.twitter.com/dxj4lkx98j— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) May 24, 2020
Defence writer Ajai Shukla has claimed that this is not just another border clash, but the situation is much worse, as the Chinese are digging defences to stay and there’s been no response from the Indian army so far. “For the first time since the Kargil intrusions of 1999, Indian territory is in the hands of foreign soldiers,” he wrote.
The govt is trying to pass off the Ladakh intrusions as just another border clash — but the situation is much, much worse. There are 5,000 Chinese on the Indian side at Galwan/Pangong and they are digging defences to stay. No Indian Army response so far.https://t.co/aeeLmCktRG
— Ajai Shukla (@ajaishukla) May 23, 2020
Shukla pointed out through a satellite image how three Indian posts were now in the hands of the Chinese authority.
The map of the Galwan intrusions tweeted by @Nrg8000 has this verrrrry minor inaccuracy: The first three pins on the India side of the LAC, which he has shown as Indian posts, are now in the hands of the Chinese. They should be in red colour! https://t.co/zi7Rmw5dEg
— Ajai Shukla (@ajaishukla) May 26, 2020
India is set to be witnessing its worst border tensions since the Kargil battle in 1999, with at least 5,000 Chinese troops along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. ANI reported that Chinese troops have moved in “nearly 10-15 km from the Indian post KM 120” in the Galwan Valley, and have pitched tents and stationed themselves close to the post. Beyond KM 120 lies the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg-Oldie road built last year which has been a thorn in China’s flesh. The inauguration of the road was heavily criticised by the Chinese media.
Stand-off with #China in #Ladakh is India’s worst border tension since #Kargil in 1999
Transgressions in multiple places
Worrying is the one at Pangong Lake
Major part of Chinese buildup is in their side
India matching troops with troops
— Snehesh Alex Philip (@sneheshphilip) May 25, 2020
“China’s actions are hard to decipher, especially in the absence of any authoritative statements from Beijing. The simplest explanation perhaps is that China is responding to India’s efforts to bolster border-area infrastructure in Ladakh after the completion of the DSDBO road. After India’s move into Doklam in 2017, China is perhaps especially sensitive to Indian activity along the disputed border,” said Taylor Fravel, Professor of International Relations at MIT.
#ExpressExplained | The unprecedented high levels of tension on the disputed India-China border has raised questions about the Chinese motives for this action. @SushantSin speaks to experts on what triggered the moveshttps://t.co/Qm7JOAz1BZ
— Express Explained (@ieexplained) May 26, 2020
India has demanded that China revert to status quo along the LAC in Ladakh while the Chinese have sought a stoppage of construction activities by India near the “borders”. Talks have been held at the local level to defuse tensions, but no tangible outcome has been arrived at yet.
India wants LAC status quo maintained, China demands India should stop construction activity. Chinese soldiers have transgressed by about 3 km into Indian areas in at least four locations https://t.co/9cdn5Vez9V
— Yusuf Unjhawala 🇮🇳 (@YusufDFI) May 26, 2020
In response, the Indian Army has increased its presence in Uttarakhand by inducting additional troops and enhanced round-the-clock surveillance of the LAC. Fresh induction of troops, sources said, has taken place in Ladakh to strengthen Indian positions and create reserves. An official said reinforcements have already been provided to certain posts in Ladakh which are considered “critical” in case of sudden Chinese moves in the area.
With additional troops being inducted into Uttarakhand to beef up the Indian Army presence, it is quite clear now that the Chinese aggressive posturing has spread to other parts of the LAC. Also, additional UAV pilots rushed to Ladakh to boost surveillance https://t.co/rCiElVXLfC
— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) May 26, 2020
Amid rising tensions at the border, as well as the piling coronavirus cases in India, China said it would evacuate its citizens “who have difficulties” and want to return home. A notice by the Chinese embassy in India said students, tourists and businessmen who have been stranded in India will be allowed to fly back to China on special flights but at their own expense. The notice has come after India became one of the top 10 countries with the maximum number of cases.
#Covid19: China to evacuate its citizens from India amid rising cases and increasing border tension https://t.co/v3MJuTAMRf
— scroll.in (@scroll_in) May 26, 2020
With India reeling from rising coronavirus cases, the last thing we need is another flashpoint with China. The posturing from both sides can wait for a later time, after we can all resolve the bigger crisis at hand.
Comments