Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 9
Military commanders of India and China are scheduled to meet again at Ladakh tomorrow over the existing standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) amid reports that troops of both sides have pulled back marginally at two locations.
Move ‘Not’ a retreat
- Troop withdrawal reportedly occurred at Patrolling Point 14 (Galwan area), Patrolling Point 15 and Gogra-Hot Springs
- The number of soldiers and vehicles involved in the faceoff has been reduced
- Sources, however, said the troop movement should not be treated as a retreat, for now
News agencies quoting un-named military sources said troops on either side have pulled back by around 2 km at Galwan and Gogra-Hot Springs. There is no on-record verification of the claim by any wing of the government, so far.
News agencies said both sides had withdrawn at multiple locations, including Patrolling Point 14 (Galwan area), Patrolling Point 15 and Hot Springs.
For now, sources said, the troop movement at Galwan and Hot Springs should not be treated as a retreat. Soldiers and vehicles involved in the faceoff have been reduced and the build-up on either side moved back a bit.
A Major General, who heads the 3 Division of the Indian Army, will meet his Chinese counterpart tomorrow.
On June 6, the top-most military commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps had met his Chinese counterpart. At Pangong Tso, the Chinese are reportedly adamant on not allowing Indian troops to patrol east of “Finger 4”. This is a disputed territory that both sides patrolled before May 5 this year. The LAC is not demarcated on ground.
India is seeking restoration of status quo ante along the 826-km LAC in Ladakh and freedom to patrol disputed areas. At Galwan, there is no dispute over the alignment of the LAC. After the Major General-level talks, there would be ground-level talks at the brigade commander and battalion commander levels. These talks would be held at Galwan and Hot Springs. Patrol lines would be discussed during those talks.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday said, “India-China military and diplomatic talks are on… have agreed that the resolution of any future border dispute and the present tussle will be through talks.”
Rahul questions Rajnath
Once RM (Rajnath) is done commenting on the hand symbol, can he answer: Have the Chinese occupied Indian territory in Ladakh.
Chinese spokesperson Hua Chunying yesterday said both countries had maintained close communication on resolving border issues through diplomatic and military channels. The border area situation was discussed during the June 6 meeting between Chinese and Indian military officials, Chunying said.