By Elishya Perera
NEW DELHI (CWBN)_ Fresh talks were held between Indian and Chinese military commanders yesterday (Oct12) with the objective of ending a months-long standoff in the disputed area of Ladakh. The discussion, which started at noon and lasted late into the evening, took place on the Indian side of Chushul-Moldo Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) point. The Indian delegation was led by XIV Corps Commander Lt General Harinder Singh, while Major General Liu Lin, Commander of the South Xinjiang Military District represented China.
Previously, several military, diplomatic and political level discussions have been held between the two countries, including negotiations between their foreign ministers and defence ministers in Moscow last month. Even though sources in the Indian defence establishment do not expect the discussion to result in a major breakthrough, the talks seem to have calmed the situation along the border, as no new military aggression has been reported for a month.
Clash in June which killed 20 Indian troops
In the 1960s, the two countries had agreed not to attack each other with firearms along the border, however, for the first time in 45 years, the border standoff began in May this year, and escalated in June, turning out to be the deadliest clash between the two sides in decades. 20 Indian soldiers were killed and many other injured, while China did not confirm any casualties. Subsequently, in mid-June, the Indian Army claimed that the two parties had disengaged.
A highly tensed, poorly demarcated border
The border which separates the two countries is poorly demarcated with the presence of rivers, lakes and snowcaps meaning the line can shift. Both sides have around 50,000 troops each, along with additional artillery, tanks and air defence assets, in the region. The countries have only fought one border war so far in 1962, when India suffered a humiliating defeat.
According to India, the control line is 3,488 kilometers long, while China says it is considerably shorter. In the last meeting, China had insisted that Indian troops should step back from several strategic heights in Mukhpari, Rezang La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of Pangong lake, while India insists that the disengagement process has to start simultaneously at all the friction points.
Indian defence minister inaugurated bridges in the border area
Meanwhile, Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 44 bridges built in border areas yesterday (Oct 12). The bridges providing connectivity to forward areas on the western, northern and north-eastern fronts were built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), at a cost of USD 39 million. Inaugurating the bridges at an online event, the minister shared his views on the disputes along the Indian borders with China, as well as Pakistan. He said, “You are well aware of the conditions created along our northern and eastern borders. First, it was Pakistan, and now also by China, as if a border dispute is being created under a mission”. Singh claimed that the construction of the bridges will benefit both the civilian population, as well as the military.
Edited by Chathushka Perera
