De-escalation, disengagement debate in Eastern Ladakh stalls Chinese-Indian Army talks

NEW DEHI: The standoff in Eastern Ladakh is stuck as Indian Army and Chinese People’s Liberation Army have differing approach on troop presence and their withdrawal from standoff points. There have been major parlays, at various levels to sort out the standoff. Also, this time the numbers of the contentious locations along the LAC in Ladakh have increased.

An official aware of the developments told, “While Chinese PLA is pressing to de-escalate and then disengage, Indian Army has made it clear that unless the Chinese troops move back to the pre-May 5, 2020 positions India will not move its troops back.”

A distinct change this time is the increase of on ground friction positions which total to 17 such locations along the 832 kilometer long LAC in Ladakh.

“Amidst the standoff there is an increase of five friction points which include area around Kilometer 120 in Galwan, PP 15 and PP 17A at Shoksha La on the North of the Pangong and Rechin La and Rezang La on the South of Pangong,” added the official.

Before May 5, 2020 there were two Mutually Agreed Disputed Areas (Trig Heights and Demchok) and 10 Areas of Differing Perceptions at Samar Lungpa, Depsang Bulge, Areas east of Pt 6556, Crossing of Charding Nullah, Kongka La, Pangong Tso, Spanggur, Mt Sajjum, Dumchele and Chumar.

With the rise in disputes, there has been increase in the communication between the PLA and the Indian Army in order to resolve the protracted tensions along the LAC which led to deadly duels in Galwan which claimed lives on both sides.