New Delhi: Two-and-a-half months after the violent clash at Galwan Valley, India and China are facing off at a new area on the border, after Chinese troops intruded into the southern bank of Pangong Tso on Saturday night.
The Indian Army issued a statement on Monday morning that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army “carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo” on the night of August 29-30.
“Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground,” said the statement.
Though the statement did not say so, the Indian Army is believed to have rushed some 800 soldiers to Chushul, just south of the lake.
The “provocative actions” were in violation of the “previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh”, the official release stated tersely, providing no further details. A brigade commander level flag meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues, the Indian Army said.
“The Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity,” it added.
The initial Chinese response had been muted, but then the statement from the PLA made it crystal clear that there was no intention to give ground.
“Indian troops have violated the consensus reached at the multi-level talks between India and China and again crossed the line of actual control at the border on Monday and purposely launched provocations,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Shuili of the PLA Western Theater Command on Monday evening.
Asserting that it was “counterproductive and treacherous”, the Chinese military spokesperson said that India’s actions “seriously violates China’s territorial sovereignty” and “undermines peace and stability in the border area”.Mirroring the Indian statement, China accused Indian troops of having crossed the LAC.
“China strongly opposes the acts and urges India to immediately withdraw the troops that have illegally crossed the LAC,” he said.The Chinese statement was different from the India in one important aspect – the timing of the incident.
While the Indian army said that Chinese soldiers had attempted to transgress on the night of August 29-30, the PLA officer stated India had crossed the LAC on August 31. It is not clear if the two sides are talking of the same incident, or two different events.
Earlier in the day in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson denied that the China had moved beyond its section of the LAC. “China’s border guards have always strictly abided by the actual line of control and have never crossed the line. The border forces of the two countries have been maintaining communication on the issue of the present,” said spokesperson Zhao Lijian.
As per Indian government sources quoted by PTI, a “sizeable” number of Chinese troops were moving towards the southern bank in an attempt to occupy the area. Sources added that there had been “no physical skirmishes”. While the Chinese were sent back to an extent, they continue to be in the vicinity.
Interestingly, Thakung, which lies firmly on the Indian side of the LAC, is within the China’s 1960 claim line. This suggests the PLA may be working to a plan on the south bank of Pangong Tso of pushing the LAC westward. On the north bank, however, the PLA has moved beyond even its traditional claim line.
The Indian Army and Chinese troops have been involved in multiple clashes since early May in eastern Ladakh, after Indian soldiers detected Chinese intrusion far beyond the usual patrolling points on the Line of Actual Control.
The most serious clash took place on June 15 at Galwan Valley, when a violent hand-to-hand fight led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers. China has admitted casualties on their side, but not revealed any numbers. These were the first military casualties along the India-China border in four decades.
Consequently, there have been high-level phone calls at the foreign minister and national security advisor level, which led to multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks for disengagement of troops along the border.
So far, there has been five rounds of talks between military commanders and four rounds of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs.
During the current stand-off, the first clash was recorded at Galwan valley on night of May 5-6.The next stand-off took place at the north bank of Pangong Tso lake on May 10-11, near Finger 4, one of the mountainous spurs that jut out into the lake.
China had constructed a metalled road upto ‘Finger 4’ and set up defensive positions. Indian troops used to earlier regularly patrol till ‘finger 8’, but are now limited to ‘finger 4’ due to the new Chinese intrusion into the area.India asserts that the Line of Actual Control passes through ‘Finger 8’, while China’s claim line is based at ‘Finger 2’.
Bibi's firing of Israel defence chief dr…
06-11-2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ignited controversy and protests across Israel. Gallant's opposition to Netanyahu's handling of the Hamas war, particularly regarding a...
Read moreCongratulations pour in, except from Rus…
06-11-2024
World leaders reacted to Donald Trump's election victory with a mix of caution and optimism. While some expressed hope for improved relations, others emphasized the need for unity and coordination...
Read moreTrump's erratic foreign policy set to me…
06-11-2024
As Donald Trump returns to the political stage, questions arise about his foreign policy plans. Supporters believe his strong personality will influence world leaders, while critics point to his past...
Read moreRe-election set to stall criminal cases …
06-11-2024
Despite facing four criminal prosecutions, Donald Trump's election victory effectively halts legal proceedings against him during his presidency. While he can dismiss federal cases, the New York hush money case...
Read more'Samosa Caucus' puffs up from 5 to 6 in …
06-11-2024
Six Indian Americans, including Suhas Subramanyam, the first from the East Coast, have secured victories in the House of Representatives elections. The incumbent Indian-American members, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi...
Read moreX-factor: Elon set to be Trump's Muskete…
06-11-2024
Elon Musk, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, celebrates the billionaire's return to the White House. Musk's influence is expected to soar in a Trump 2.0 administration, potentially securing him...
Read moreBarron anointed child, Melania jewel in …
06-11-2024
Body language expert Judi James said Melania's styling was corporate and her poses on Election Night were confident and strong. Barron who is remarkable for his 6'9'' height and...
Read more'Unlike Nate Silver who will try to...':…
06-11-2024
On Election Night, Nate Silver announced that he was pulling his prediction model because it wasn't "capturing the story of this election night well." Nate Silver washed his hands off...
Read moreMAGA supporters enjoy The View's meltdow…
06-11-2024
"Think about this. She did this in two months. She [Kamala] did what she did. She was everywhere. She talked to everybody, and people didn’t come out. I don’t...
Read moreWho is Donald Trump's ice maiden 'Susie…
06-11-2024
66-year-old Susie Wiles was immersed in every aspect of Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. As Donald Trump described her, she is always in the background and likes to remain away from...
Read moreUS election results 2024: Donald Trump, …
06-11-2024
Donald Trump's projected second term promises a radical reshaping of American society, with a focus on mass deportation, the curtailing of reproductive rights, and the consolidation of presidential power. His...
Read moreTrump has won the US presidential polls…
06-11-2024
Donald Trump, in his second presidential transition, is prioritising loyalty in his appointments, including figures like Robert Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk. This transition, managed by family and close...
Read moreDid Kari Lake, Ted Cruz, AOC, Anna Pauli…
06-11-2024
Republican Ted Cruz, another closely watched senator, won a third term in the US Senate from Texas. He defeated US Rep Colin Allred. This was another election that pollsters predicted...
Read moreUS chooses Donald Trump: Climate change …
06-11-2024
Donald Trump's return to the White House threatens global climate action. His pro-fossil fuel stance and potential withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could hinder emissions reduction efforts. While local initiatives...
Read more'Holy smokes! Literally nothing?' CNN an…
06-11-2024
CNN anchor Jake Tapper's shock at learning that Kamala Harris did not outperform Joe Biden's 2020 results in a single state on Election Night went viral. "Holy smokes! Literally nothing?...
Read morePoll 'Nostradamus' Allan Lichtman to 'as…
06-11-2024
"I want to thank all the loyal members, subscribers, and viewers of our live show. We will go on and are assessing last night’s results. Please tune in on Thursday...
Read moreKamala Harris and major Dems fall silent…
06-11-2024
Kamala Harris has not spoken yet and neither conceded the election. Harris canceled her Election Night speech and all major Democrats and Dem social media handles fell silent. "All...
Read more'Project 2025 was real the whole time' p…
06-11-2024
Project 2025 resurfaced as the talking point after Donald Trump claimed victory in an election which was thought closer than a coin toss. Project 2025 was a 900-page policy wish...
Read moreUS election highlights: Harris cancels s…
05-11-2024
Former President Donald Trump and vice president Kamala Harris faced off in a pivotal election that drew millions of voters. Trump secured early victories in Indiana and Kentucky, while Harris...
Read more