News Analysis India

Tag: chinese army

  • Rajnath Singh’s statement on Arunachal clash incomplete, Modi govt hiding truth: Congress

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement in Parliament on the Sino-India border clash in Tawang was “incomplete” and accused the government of hiding the truth from the nation.

    Congress spokesperson and deputy leader of the party in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi demanded that the government should tell the truth and not divert public attention by raising other issues like cancellation of FCRA registration of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

    Gogoi and party leader Pawan Khera also accused the government of diplomatic failure with China, claiming that India has lost its pre-eminent position in Southeast Asia.

    Both the leaders demanded that the government should agree to a detailed discussion on the border situation and ties with China, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks made in June 2020 that “no one has entered Indian territory nor has anyone occupied its territory” has emboldened China to indulge in such misadventures.

    “Why did Rajnath Singh give a statement so late as the incident is of December 9. Why was this not given yesterday in Parliament? What are they hiding this? This government wants to hide the truth from the nation and our demand from day one has been to tell the truth to the nation,” Gogoi told reporters at a press conference.

    He said the Congress is concerned about the security of the nation and that is why it was asking questions to the government.

    “Rajnath Singh may be wanting to provide more information but his voice has also been silenced by the Prime minister. That is why the minister’s statement is incomplete. Our questions were valid,” he said.

    He alleged that whenever an issue of national security comes up, the “prime minister hides behind his ministers”.

    ALSO READ | India blames China of trying to alter ‘status quo’, Beijing downplays Arunachal border clash

    Asking why Parliament was deliberately kept in the dark, Gogoi said that is why the Congress staged a walkout after Singh’s statement in Lok Sabha and later in Rajya Sabha.

    “The BJP government is not able to protect the territorial integrity of our country. They do not have the time to think about the country except elections and doing communal politics,” he said, adding that we have to prepare a united strategy after taking everyone together but there is no time for it with this government.

    He also accused the government of “diplomatic failure” and that is why China is indulging in such clashes along the border.

    “Modi ji, dariye mat. (Don’t be afraid). Name China and assure the country that what he said earlier was wrong and spell out how India plans to take on this challenge strongly,” Gogoi said.

    Taking on Home Minister Amit Shah, Khera said he was making allegations against the Congress but should answer why the BJP was taking the help of UC News Mobile and ShareIt in 2019 elections.

    “The accounts of Rajiv Gandhi foundation are in public domain and there is nothing to hide about them. But what are the RSS ties with China’s communist party and why they knock at China’s doors and why it has a tie up with CPC. Even when they are not in power, the BJP goes there to get lessons from China.

    What are India Foundation and Vivekanand Foundation’s relations with China, the Home minister should tell,” he said.

    Khera also demanded that the government should make public details of the PM Cares fund and tell which Chinese companies have given donations to it.

    “We want to know what is the secret of Modi ji giving a clean chit to China in 2020. We are concerned about the country’s integrity and its borders. The Congress leader said the government has allowed the Chinese to understand your weakness and that is why failure on your diplomacy. You should have left diplomacy to diplomats. This is the diplomatic failure, as neither can we ask questions from Raksha Mantri, nor from external affairs ministry or anyone else. The Prime Minister is clearly responsible for this as he gave the clean chit to China. China has not only disturbed the status quo and we are asking the government to fight China but you are here fighting with us. This is the diplomatic failure,” Khera asserted.

    Asked what he meant by India’s diplomatic failure, Gogoi said, “If it was a success, China would not have shown this courage. We have failed on diplomacy with China. The failure of this government to impose high costs on Chinese misadventure is the number one failure. Number two failure is that you are tying your Army’s hands behind their back and asking them to go back from their own territory. There is a demand for pre-Galwan status quo, but you have dropped the demand. Thirdly, you are seeing a distance between you and your allies, especially in South Asia. Under Prime Minister Modi, India has lost her pre-eminent position in South Asia. Even on economic ad diplomatic front,” the Congress MP from Assam said.

    He, however, said the government does not have the time to consider this issue and urged it to show transparency.

    “We have been seeking a holistic discussion on China. Prime Minister should hold another round of talks and admit to mistakes. The country gives importance to national security,” he said, adding that the government is answerable to the country and the government should reply to the nation and tell the truth.

    Gogoi also asked why the Indian government is making compromises at the border by signing disengagement agreements and creating buffer zones and that is why China is getting the courage to indulge in such misadventures as done in Tawang on Friday.

    He claimed that by doing so, China wants that buffer zones are created in north eastern sector.

    “If India has to give reply to China’s misadventure, then India will have to engage with South East Asia. But, the effort is to divert the attention of the country. We are facing such a challenge and if we do not respond to it unitedly, we will have to face the consequences in future and PM Modi will have to take the entire responsibility.”

    Khera said in 1962, as many as 165 MPs participated in the discussion on China when even our MPs criticised our government then and Nehru ji listened. “But, look at this government they attack us when we ask them questions.”

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement in Parliament on the Sino-India border clash in Tawang was “incomplete” and accused the government of hiding the truth from the nation.

    Congress spokesperson and deputy leader of the party in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi demanded that the government should tell the truth and not divert public attention by raising other issues like cancellation of FCRA registration of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

    Gogoi and party leader Pawan Khera also accused the government of diplomatic failure with China, claiming that India has lost its pre-eminent position in Southeast Asia.

    Both the leaders demanded that the government should agree to a detailed discussion on the border situation and ties with China, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks made in June 2020 that “no one has entered Indian territory nor has anyone occupied its territory” has emboldened China to indulge in such misadventures.

    “Why did Rajnath Singh give a statement so late as the incident is of December 9. Why was this not given yesterday in Parliament? What are they hiding this? This government wants to hide the truth from the nation and our demand from day one has been to tell the truth to the nation,” Gogoi told reporters at a press conference.

    He said the Congress is concerned about the security of the nation and that is why it was asking questions to the government.

    “Rajnath Singh may be wanting to provide more information but his voice has also been silenced by the Prime minister. That is why the minister’s statement is incomplete. Our questions were valid,” he said.

    He alleged that whenever an issue of national security comes up, the “prime minister hides behind his ministers”.

    ALSO READ | India blames China of trying to alter ‘status quo’, Beijing downplays Arunachal border clash

    Asking why Parliament was deliberately kept in the dark, Gogoi said that is why the Congress staged a walkout after Singh’s statement in Lok Sabha and later in Rajya Sabha.

    “The BJP government is not able to protect the territorial integrity of our country. They do not have the time to think about the country except elections and doing communal politics,” he said, adding that we have to prepare a united strategy after taking everyone together but there is no time for it with this government.

    He also accused the government of “diplomatic failure” and that is why China is indulging in such clashes along the border.

    “Modi ji, dariye mat. (Don’t be afraid). Name China and assure the country that what he said earlier was wrong and spell out how India plans to take on this challenge strongly,” Gogoi said.

    Taking on Home Minister Amit Shah, Khera said he was making allegations against the Congress but should answer why the BJP was taking the help of UC News Mobile and ShareIt in 2019 elections.

    “The accounts of Rajiv Gandhi foundation are in public domain and there is nothing to hide about them. But what are the RSS ties with China’s communist party and why they knock at China’s doors and why it has a tie up with CPC. Even when they are not in power, the BJP goes there to get lessons from China.

    What are India Foundation and Vivekanand Foundation’s relations with China, the Home minister should tell,” he said.

    Khera also demanded that the government should make public details of the PM Cares fund and tell which Chinese companies have given donations to it.

    “We want to know what is the secret of Modi ji giving a clean chit to China in 2020. We are concerned about the country’s integrity and its borders. The Congress leader said the government has allowed the Chinese to understand your weakness and that is why failure on your diplomacy. You should have left diplomacy to diplomats. This is the diplomatic failure, as neither can we ask questions from Raksha Mantri, nor from external affairs ministry or anyone else. The Prime Minister is clearly responsible for this as he gave the clean chit to China. China has not only disturbed the status quo and we are asking the government to fight China but you are here fighting with us. This is the diplomatic failure,” Khera asserted.

    Asked what he meant by India’s diplomatic failure, Gogoi said, “If it was a success, China would not have shown this courage. We have failed on diplomacy with China. The failure of this government to impose high costs on Chinese misadventure is the number one failure. Number two failure is that you are tying your Army’s hands behind their back and asking them to go back from their own territory. There is a demand for pre-Galwan status quo, but you have dropped the demand. Thirdly, you are seeing a distance between you and your allies, especially in South Asia. Under Prime Minister Modi, India has lost her pre-eminent position in South Asia. Even on economic ad diplomatic front,” the Congress MP from Assam said.

    He, however, said the government does not have the time to consider this issue and urged it to show transparency.

    “We have been seeking a holistic discussion on China. Prime Minister should hold another round of talks and admit to mistakes. The country gives importance to national security,” he said, adding that the government is answerable to the country and the government should reply to the nation and tell the truth.

    Gogoi also asked why the Indian government is making compromises at the border by signing disengagement agreements and creating buffer zones and that is why China is getting the courage to indulge in such misadventures as done in Tawang on Friday.

    He claimed that by doing so, China wants that buffer zones are created in north eastern sector.

    “If India has to give reply to China’s misadventure, then India will have to engage with South East Asia. But, the effort is to divert the attention of the country. We are facing such a challenge and if we do not respond to it unitedly, we will have to face the consequences in future and PM Modi will have to take the entire responsibility.”

    Khera said in 1962, as many as 165 MPs participated in the discussion on China when even our MPs criticised our government then and Nehru ji listened. “But, look at this government they attack us when we ask them questions.”

  • Chinese army in India, PM Modi messed up big time: Rahul Gandhi

    By Express News Service

     TURUVEKERE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the party would continue to raise the fundamental issue of poor handling of external affairs by the Central government. “The Chinese army is sitting today inside Indian territory, and has occupied more than 1,000 sqkm, a slightly smaller area than Delhi, and the government refuses to do anything, refuses a discussion in Parliament as it is scared. The PM stated that no land has been taken and destroyed India’s negotiating position. But we will continue to raise the issue,” he told the media.

    On the ban on Popular Front of India, he clarified that he is in favour of a ban on any organisation or individual who spreads hatred in society, regardless of their community, and everybody should oppose hatred. 

    The NEP is against the ethos of the country as it distorts our history, tradition and culture, besides centralising the education system, he remarked.  On the BJP’s allegation that the Congress contributed to India’s partition, Rahul shot back that no RSS leader had fought for freedom. “According to my understanding of history, they backed the British and Veer Savarkar was an example,” he alleged. 

    Rahul said the Bharat Jodo Yatra is not aimed at the 2024 polls, though political leaders are participating in it. “By nature, I believe in tapasya. I wanted an element in this communication with people, the element of suffering for myself. I can share the suffering, that’s the idea of my yatra,” he said philosophically.

     TURUVEKERE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the party would continue to raise the fundamental issue of poor handling of external affairs by the Central government. “The Chinese army is sitting today inside Indian territory, and has occupied more than 1,000 sqkm, a slightly smaller area than Delhi, and the government refuses to do anything, refuses a discussion in Parliament as it is scared. The PM stated that no land has been taken and destroyed India’s negotiating position. But we will continue to raise the issue,” he told the media.

    On the ban on Popular Front of India, he clarified that he is in favour of a ban on any organisation or individual who spreads hatred in society, regardless of their community, and everybody should oppose hatred. 

    The NEP is against the ethos of the country as it distorts our history, tradition and culture, besides centralising the education system, he remarked.  On the BJP’s allegation that the Congress contributed to India’s partition, Rahul shot back that no RSS leader had fought for freedom. “According to my understanding of history, they backed the British and Veer Savarkar was an example,” he alleged. 

    Rahul said the Bharat Jodo Yatra is not aimed at the 2024 polls, though political leaders are participating in it. “By nature, I believe in tapasya. I wanted an element in this communication with people, the element of suffering for myself. I can share the suffering, that’s the idea of my yatra,” he said philosophically.

  • Army focuses on Eastern Sector, strengthens its defences towards ‘Rest of Arunachal Pradesh’

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: While the Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army are locked in a standoff in Eastern Ladakh, the area of “Rest of Arunachal Pradesh (RALP)” is gaining attention.  Sources in the Army feel India is boosting its road infrastructure and is reorienting the forces as China has raised its infrastructure and deployments on its side.

    Arunachal Pradesh is generally divided into Kameng area on the west and Rest of Arunachal Pradesh.  “Rest of Arunachal Pradesh is an area of concern for us,” a source said. Also admitting the need for better infrastructure, the officer said that we have also raised our deployment in the RALP.  “Till 2010 there was only one Division of the Army for the entire RALP but now a major deployment of the 3 Corps is responsible for the LAC,” the source said adding that Chinese have built roads all across.

    India’s Border Roads Organisation is focusing on the area for roads with a push from the government. One of the biggest projects to connect the remote locations of Arunachal Pradesh is in process with Detailed Project Reports finalized.

    This will be the Trans-Arunachal highway which was delayed due to land compensation. As informed earlier by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, “The Arunahcal Frontier highway will connect Dirang-Tawang road, Nafra, Lada, Bameng, Chayangtajo, Sarli, Damin, Parsi Parlo, Tali, Taliha, Siyum, Mechuka, Tato, Payum, Tuting, Singa, Dibang valley and Anjaw onwards upto Vijaynagar.”

    Rijiju had said that this will be one of the toughest and biggest border road projects in independent India. Sources also added that for the sake of better integration of the border population and faster connectivity two tunnels have been planned under Brahmaputra and the DPR for one of them is complete.

    The Engineer Task Force of the exclusive Mountain Strike Corps (17 Corps) are also busy developing the road infrastructure as they have specialised equipment to continue work in harsh terrain. Sources added that there also has been reorientation of the forces towards the LAC since there have been relative peace in the areas of the Northeast.

    he RALP has gained attention since Chinese PLA mobilized its reserve troops to the training areas after the standoff began in Eastern Ladakh and since then they have remained there.

    Lt Gen MK Pandey, Commander in Chief, Eastern Command recently said, “We have observed build up by Chine close to LAC essentially in terms of habitat and that has led to correspondingly a greater number of troops that are located there. It is an area where we have differing areas of perception on the LAC.”

    He was commenting on the area of Asaphila where both India and China have areas of differing perceptions. “The Chinese have become aggressive with increased patrolling and increased frequency of the senior commanders towards the LAC. They come for patrols and make a mess. They even leave tents and spades,” added another source.

    Eastern Command handles the 1346 kilometers long Line of Actual Control including Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. This command has three corps 33 Corps (Sikkim), 4 Corps (Kameng Sector) and 3 Corps (Rest of Arunachal Pradesh) to handle the LAC.

  • China not agreeable to resolve remaining areas along LAC, no results in 13th round talks: Indian Army

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: The Chinese Army has not agreed to the constructive suggestions given by the Indian Army to resolve the remaining friction points or areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and that is why the 13th round of talks concluded without any results, the Indian Army said in a statement on Monday.

    During the meeting, the Indian side made constructive suggestions for resolving the remaining areas but the Chinese side was not agreeable and also could not provide any forward-looking proposals.

    “The meeting thus did not result in resolution of the remaining areas,” the Army said, in its statement on the 13th round of corps commander level talks held in Moldo on the Chinese side of the LAC on Sunday.

    The Army said that during the meeting, the discussions between the two sides focussed on the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

    The 13th Corps Commanders meeting “did not result in resolution of the remaining areas” as “Chinese side was not agreeable & also could not provide any forward-looking proposals to “constructive suggestions for resolving the remaining areas”.#Ladakh@NewIndianXpress
    — Mayank

  • India, China fail to break the ice over the standoff in Eastern Ladakh

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: India and China failed to break the ice over the standoff in the remaining areas of the Eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). While India pointed to Chinese disagreement to its “constructive suggestions” for resolution, the Chinese side blamed India for “persisting in its unreasonable and unrealistic demands.”

    The Chinese Senior Colonel Long Shaohua, spokesperson for the Western Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), on Monday said “(T)he Chinese side made great efforts to promote easing and cooling of the border situation and fully demonstrated China’s sincerity of maintaining overall interests of bilateral military relations. However, the Indian side still persisted in its unreasonable and unrealistic demands, which added difficulties to the negotiations.”

    Responding to the Chinese statement the Indian Army said, “The Indian side pointed out that the situation along the LAC had been caused by unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter the status quo and in violation of the bilateral agreements. It was, therefore, necessary that the Chinese side take appropriate steps in the remaining areas so as to restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the Western Sector.”

    “During the meeting, the Indian side, therefore, made constructive suggestions for resolving the remaining areas but the Chinese side was not agreeable and also could not provide any forward-looking proposals. The meeting thus did not result in resolution of the remaining areas,” said Indian Army. 

    The 13th India-China Corps Commanders meet was held on October 10 at the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point on the Chinese side. During the meeting, the discussions between the two sides focussed on the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

    As per the Ministry, the two sides have agreed to maintain communications and also to maintain stability on the ground. “It is our expectation that the Chinese side will take into account the overall perspective of bilateral relations and will work towards early resolution of the remaining issues while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols,” Army said.

    There are around 60,000 troops each from the Indian Army and the Chinese PLA deployed near the LAC in Eastern Ladakh with tense standoffs at Hot Spring, Depsang, and Demchok. There were standoffs also at Galwan, Gogra, and the North and South banks of the Pangong Lake and the troops have mutually disengaged after the resolutions achieved during a series of 12 previous Corps Commanders’ talks. 

  • China’s continuous build-up matter of concern: Army Chief Staff Gen MM Naravane

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The military build-up by China in the eastern Ladakh region and new infrastructure development to sustain the large-scale deployment are matters of concern and India has been keeping a close watch on all the activities by the Chinese PLA, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane said on Saturday.

    He said if the Chinese military maintains the deployment through the second winter, it may lead to an LoC-like situation (Line of Control) though not an active LoC as is there on the western front with Pakistan The Chief of Army Staff said if the Chinese military continues with its deployment, the Indian Army too will maintain its presence on its side which is “as good as what the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) has done”.

    Indian and Chinese militaries have been on a standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh for nearly 17 months though both sides disengaged from a number of friction points this year following a series of talks.

    “Yes, it is a matter of concern that the large-scale build-up has occurred and continues to be in place, and to sustain that kind of a build-up, there has been an equal amount of infrastructure development on the Chinese side,” Gen Naravane said at the Indian Today conclave.

    “So, it means that they (PLA) are there to stay. We are keeping a close watch on all these developments, but if they are there to stay, we are there to stay too,” he said. Gen Naravane said the build-up and the infrastructure development on the Indian side are as good as what PLA has done.

    “But what this would, especially if they continue to stay there through the second winter, definitely mean that we will be in a kind of LC (Line of Control) situation though not an active LC as is there on the western front. But definitely, we will have to keep a close eye on all the troop build-up and deployments to see that they do not get into any misadventure once again,” he said.

    To a question, Gen Naravane said it is difficult to understand why China triggered the standoff when the world was reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic and when that country had certain issues on its eastern seaboard.

    “While all that is going on, to sort of open up one more front is very difficult to understand or fathom. But whatever it might have been, I do not think they have been able to achieve any of those because of the rapid response done by the Indian armed forces,” he said.

    Asked to comment on the overall situation in eastern Ladakh, Gen Naravane referred to a recent statement by a spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs and said he had clearly mentioned that whatever has happened on the Northern border is because of the massive build-up by the Chinese side and the non-adherence to various protocols. “So that is very clear as to what was the trigger for all that which has happened,” Gen Naravane said.

    The Army Chief said following the standoff in eastern Ladakh, Indian Army realised that it needs to do more in the area of ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance). “So that has been the thurst of our modernisation over the last one year. Similarly, other weapons and equipment that we thought we need for future, those have got our attention also,” he said.

    The border standoff between the Indian and the Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year in eastern Ladakh following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area. Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in the Gogra area in August. In February, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement.

    Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

  • 13th round of India-China military talks likely to be held next week: Officials

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The next round of high-level military talks between India and China to take forward the disengagement process in remaining friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh is expected to take place next week, officials said on Saturday.

    Officials said both sides have exchanged notes as part of preparations for the 13th round of military talks to push for disengagement in the remaining friction points.

    Military sources said disengagement in Hot Springs and some other areas are expected to be discussed at the next round of Corps Commander-level talks.

    “A clarity on the date and venue for the talks is expected in the next three-four days,” said a source.

    The talks are expected to take place in the second week of October, officials said.

    Meanwhile, after a comprehensive review of the ground situation in the mountainous region, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, who began his two-day visit to eastern Ladakh on Friday, said Indian soldiers are fully ready in “every possible way” to deal with any eventuality in eastern Ladakh.

    “I always try to go to the forward areas so that I can see for myself the situation. I am very happy that our soldiers are fully ready in every possible way,” said Gen Naravane said at the end of the visit to eastern Ladakh.

    In a separate development, the Army has deployed its K9-Vajra 155mm howitzer in eastern Ladakh as part of series of measures to further boost its combat capabilities.

    The army chief visited several forward areas in eastern Ladakh and carried out a comprehensive review of India’s operational preparedness during his visit, according to officials.

    Delivering a lecture at an industry chamber on Thursday, Gen Naravane had said the “unprecedented” military standoff with China required an immediate response and large-scale mobilisation of resources at a time when the country was faced with the coronavirus pandemic.

    “The unprecedented developments necessitated large scale resource mobilisation, orchestration of forces and immediate response, all this in a Covid-infested environment,” he said.

    The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year in eastern Ladakh following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.

    Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in the Gogra area last month.

    In February, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement.

    Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

  • Harsh Ladakh weather affecting Chinese troops? PLA installs modular container-based accommodations at LAC

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: China has put in place new modular container-based accommodations for its troops in several high-altitude forward areas on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in response to Indian deployment in the region, people familiar with the developments said on Monday.

    The shelters were installed in locations near Tashigong, Manza, Hot Springs and Churup among others, in reflection of simmering tensions between the two sides in the region, they said.

    The people cited above said China’s People Liberation Army has been feeling the heat of the Indian response to its “misadventure” in the region last year and that the Chinese military has been forced to go for long deployments and boost infrastructure in the region.

    They said the Indian response to the Chinese actions last year, particularly after the Galwan Valley clashes, surprised the neighbouring country and that it deployed troops in areas where it never used to earlier.

    “Our strategy is hurting them. They are reacting to our response. We have forced PLA to go for forward deployment and boost infrastructure,” said one of the people.

    They said the new deployments are appearing to be affecting the morale of the Chinese troops as they were not used to operate in such difficult terrain.

    The new container-based accommodations were built in addition to the additional military camps that the Chinese military had set up following the escalation in tension between the two sides last year.

    The people said India is also ramping up construction of tunnels, bridges roads and other critical infrastructure in eastern Ladakh and other areas along the nearly 3,500-km LAC.

    They said China is also significantly enhancing its airbases and air defence units near the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

    The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

    The border row escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 last year.

    Twenty Indian Army personnel laid down their lives in the clashes that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades.

    In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clashes with the Indian Army though it is widely believed that the death toll was higher.

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in Gogra area last month.

    In February, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement.

    Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

  • Arunachal MLAs try to stop exodus of people from areas near China border 

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI:  Arunachal Pradesh MLAs, representing constituencies that lie along India’s border with China, have come together to try and discourage the exodus of their electorates to the state capital Itanagar through development initiatives.

    Eleven Assembly constituencies of the state lie along the border. The residents of these constituencies have helped security forces by reporting transgressions by Chinese troops.

    However, in the past few years, there has been a steady migration of villagers to Itanagar and other urban areas to find decent jobs.

    The border areas have remained backward, primarily due to geographical factors – they are remote and difficult to access for outsiders.

    The MLAs representing the border districts, who met in Itanagar on Saturday, formed the “Indo-China Border Development Legislators’ Forum of Arunachal Pradesh”.

    Assembly Speaker Passang Dorjee Sona, who represents the picturesque Mechuka constituency in Shi Yomi district, was appointed as its chairman. Sona said lawmakers were concerned about the exodus of villagers.

    He said the meeting was necessary to discuss and find ways to tackle the issue.

    “The border residents lack basic amenities and they tend to migrate to urban areas for a better life. The only way we can check their migration is by giving them opportunities through development initiatives,” Sona said.

    Other MLAs agreed.

    They suggested the formation of a forum of legislators representing border constituencies, stating that this would help them take up the issues in unity.

    The legislators felt the modification of existing guidelines of Border Area Development Programme was the need of the time.

    They called for improved funds allocation and block-wise utilisation certification by abolishing the practice of collective submission.

    The MLAs are likely to submit their suggestions to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who hails from Tawang, a western Arunachal district perched on the China border.

  • Keeping an eye on drill by Chinese military near Ladakh region: General Naravane

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Indian Army is keeping a constant eye on activities by the Chinese military including a drill it is conducting in its training areas near Ladakh region and there were no “violations” by either side since the implementation of the disengagement in Pangong lake areas, Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane said on Wednesday.

    Gen Naravane also expressed hope that both sides will be able to make forward movement in resolving issues in other areas.

    The Chief of the Army Staff said the disengagement has been cordial so far, but added that Indian troops are maintaining an effective vigil to deal with any eventualities along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

    Asked about a military drill by the Chinese Army in their depth areas, he said Indian troops are keeping a constant eye on it.

    “We have seen movements in training areas. It is an annual exercise. They come for training. We also go to training areas. We have been keeping a constant eye on it. We have forces along the LAC and they are adequate to deal with any action or activity,” Gen Naravane told India Today channel.

    He said there were no “transgressions and violations” since the disengagement process took place in February and both sides are observing it in letter and spirit.

    “What is important is that we are talking. And what is important to know is that between two phases, there are periods where the trust has to be built up. I think the trust has (been) built. because of that trust, maybe we will be able to make forward movement in other areas where issues are still to be resolved,” he told CNN-News18.

    The Chief of Army Staff said India will maintain its enhanced presence on the northern front till de-escalation is achieved.

    India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year but they have completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February following a series of military and diplomatic talks.

    The two sides are now engaged in talks to extend the disengagement process to the remaining friction points.

    There was no visible forward movement in disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach on it at the 11th round of military talks with the Indian Army on April 9.

    About the coronavirus crisis, Gen Naravane said the Army is fully ready to extend all possible assistance in India’s fight against the pandemic “We are an Army of the people, for the people,” he said.

    “There is no difference in mobilising for the pandemic. This is because time to time we also assist in dealing with other natural calamities. We are quite well geared up. All three branches of armed forces have been working collectively,” he said.

    Naravane said 90 per cent of the forces’ personnel have been administered the second dose of coronavirus vaccine and soon it will touch 95 per cent.