News Analysis India

Tag: Eastern Ladakh

  • Situation has not returned to normal: MEA on eastern Ladakh border row

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India on Friday said the situation in eastern Ladakh has not returned to the stage of full normalcy as some steps are yet to be taken for it.

    The comments of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi came days after Chinese envoy Sun Weidong claimed that the situation in eastern Ladakh is “overall stable” as the two sides have moved from the “emergency response” that followed the Galwan valley clashes in June 2020 to “normalised” management.

    “Some steps are required for full normalcy, we have not reached there,” Bagchi said when asked about the Chinese ambassador’s remarks.

    The MEA spokesperson said India has been maintaining that it expects disengagement followed by de-escalation for the return of normalcy on the border, which could pave the way for normal ties between the two neighbouring countries.

    “We have not reached there. I would not like to say that the situation is normal. There have been some positive steps, but some steps are yet to be taken,” he said.

    Bagchi also referred to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s remarks last month that the disengagement at Patrolling Point 15 in eastern Ladakh was “one problem less” on the border.

    Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said the benchmark for the situation to become normal in eastern Ladakh would be to return to status quo ante prior to the standoff and a complete withdrawal of troops from all friction points.

    Though the two sides have disengaged from Patrolling Point 15 (PP-15), there has been no progress yet on resolving the standoff in the Demchok and Depsang regions.

    Following the eastern Ladakh standoff, India has been consistently maintaining that peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is key for the overall development of its ties with China and the state of the border will determine the state of the bilateral relationship.

    The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas.

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

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

    The disengagement in the Pangong lake area took place in February last year, while the withdrawal of troops and equipment from Patrolling Point 17(A) in Gogra took place in August last year.

    NEW DELHI: India on Friday said the situation in eastern Ladakh has not returned to the stage of full normalcy as some steps are yet to be taken for it.

    The comments of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi came days after Chinese envoy Sun Weidong claimed that the situation in eastern Ladakh is “overall stable” as the two sides have moved from the “emergency response” that followed the Galwan valley clashes in June 2020 to “normalised” management.

    “Some steps are required for full normalcy, we have not reached there,” Bagchi said when asked about the Chinese ambassador’s remarks.

    The MEA spokesperson said India has been maintaining that it expects disengagement followed by de-escalation for the return of normalcy on the border, which could pave the way for normal ties between the two neighbouring countries.

    “We have not reached there. I would not like to say that the situation is normal. There have been some positive steps, but some steps are yet to be taken,” he said.

    Bagchi also referred to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s remarks last month that the disengagement at Patrolling Point 15 in eastern Ladakh was “one problem less” on the border.

    Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said the benchmark for the situation to become normal in eastern Ladakh would be to return to status quo ante prior to the standoff and a complete withdrawal of troops from all friction points.

    Though the two sides have disengaged from Patrolling Point 15 (PP-15), there has been no progress yet on resolving the standoff in the Demchok and Depsang regions.

    Following the eastern Ladakh standoff, India has been consistently maintaining that peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is key for the overall development of its ties with China and the state of the border will determine the state of the bilateral relationship.

    The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas.

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

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

    The disengagement in the Pangong lake area took place in February last year, while the withdrawal of troops and equipment from Patrolling Point 17(A) in Gogra took place in August last year.

  • Theatre Command structure should not in any way compromise the IAF’s doctrine: IAF Chief

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Communicating the worries of the Indian Air Force with regards to the major reorganization exercise of the structure of the Armed Forces into theatres the Air Chief has clarified that the service was not opposing any process of integration or having theatre commands. “But we have certain reservations with respect to the structures.” said the IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. He also talked about the situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh saying the best benchmark would be “complete withdrawal”.

    As reported earlier by TNIE the war fighting structure of the Armed Forces (Army, Air Force and Navy) is being reorganised into theatre commands with an aim to have the assets of all three forces under one commander responsible for all operations under his theatre.

    The IAF is in full support of the integration process but “It is only the methodology and the kind of structure that need to be future ready is what we are insisting on.” he added.

    Elaborating on his views to make the structures Future ready, “it should be shorter decision making, reduction in the layers of command and control and more importantly to synergy the core competencies. Each service has a doctrine. The doctrinal aspects of the IAF is what I am worried about, should not in any way be compromised by this new structure.”

    The Air Chief was addressing the media before the 90th Raising Day of the Force.

    The Chief, commenting on the situation in Eastern Ladakh, said, “The best benchmark would be return to status quo ante and complete withdrawal from all the points all along the LAC. That is the ideal situation that we would look for.”

    Disengagement has taken place at certain areas along the LAC. However, we keep monitoring the activities of the PLA Air Force. Infrastructure development continues to take place at a rapid pace across the LAC particularly Eastern Ladakh sector.” 

    On the increased air activity by the Chinese the air chief said “we continuously monitor it by enhancing our air defence efforts there.”

    “We have increased the presence of our radars and Surface to Air Guided Weapon (SAGW) systems. We have integrated them into the IACCS network, and appropriate non-escalatory air-defence measures are taken, always in time. We have been able to signal our intent and signal our state of readiness with the actions taken so far.” He said.

    The Integrated Air Command and Control Systems (IACCS) has been planned to provide the complete picture of the air domain to assist him with quick and informed decisions.

    As per the Chief, all preparedness in terms of infrastructure building, equipment, training and tactics is a continuous effort, irrespective of whether we see any belligerence on the part of the Chinese or not.

    “The Confidence Building Measures (CBM) between India and China are in place. We have ensured that none of the CBMs are violated. In case there is a violation, we now have an Air Force officer who represents us in the border talks. In the last border management talks, we had an Air Force officer and the various air violations cases have been communicated to them. We will use the Army hotlines for communicating any air violations.” Added the IAF Chief.

    NEW DELHI: Communicating the worries of the Indian Air Force with regards to the major reorganization exercise of the structure of the Armed Forces into theatres the Air Chief has clarified that the service was not opposing any process of integration or having theatre commands. “But we have certain reservations with respect to the structures.” said the IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. He also talked about the situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh saying the best benchmark would be “complete withdrawal”.

    As reported earlier by TNIE the war fighting structure of the Armed Forces (Army, Air Force and Navy) is being reorganised into theatre commands with an aim to have the assets of all three forces under one commander responsible for all operations under his theatre.

    The IAF is in full support of the integration process but “It is only the methodology and the kind of structure that need to be future ready is what we are insisting on.” he added.

    Elaborating on his views to make the structures Future ready, “it should be shorter decision making, reduction in the layers of command and control and more importantly to synergy the core competencies. Each service has a doctrine. The doctrinal aspects of the IAF is what I am worried about, should not in any way be compromised by this new structure.”

    The Air Chief was addressing the media before the 90th Raising Day of the Force.

    The Chief, commenting on the situation in Eastern Ladakh, said, “The best benchmark would be return to status quo ante and complete withdrawal from all the points all along the LAC. That is the ideal situation that we would look for.”

    Disengagement has taken place at certain areas along the LAC. However, we keep monitoring the activities of the PLA Air Force. Infrastructure development continues to take place at a rapid pace across the LAC particularly Eastern Ladakh sector.” 

    On the increased air activity by the Chinese the air chief said “we continuously monitor it by enhancing our air defence efforts there.”

    “We have increased the presence of our radars and Surface to Air Guided Weapon (SAGW) systems. We have integrated them into the IACCS network, and appropriate non-escalatory air-defence measures are taken, always in time. We have been able to signal our intent and signal our state of readiness with the actions taken so far.” He said.

    The Integrated Air Command and Control Systems (IACCS) has been planned to provide the complete picture of the air domain to assist him with quick and informed decisions.

    As per the Chief, all preparedness in terms of infrastructure building, equipment, training and tactics is a continuous effort, irrespective of whether we see any belligerence on the part of the Chinese or not.

    “The Confidence Building Measures (CBM) between India and China are in place. We have ensured that none of the CBMs are violated. In case there is a violation, we now have an Air Force officer who represents us in the border talks. In the last border management talks, we had an Air Force officer and the various air violations cases have been communicated to them. We will use the Army hotlines for communicating any air violations.” Added the IAF Chief.

  • Return to status quo ante needed for situation to become normal in Eastern Ladakh: IAF chief

    “All preparedness in terms of infrastructure building, equipment, training and tactics is a continuous effort, irrespective of whether we see any belligerence on the part of the Chinese or not,” he ad

  • We will have to be prepared to stay at LAC in Eastern Ladakh as long as required: Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane on Wednesday made it clear that while the Chinese have carried out a major enhancement of the troop level and permanent infrastructure build up it remains to be seen whether they will permanently garrison themselves there or they will de-induct in the time to come. And, till then we will have to be prepared to stay.

    Replying to the question of TNIE that whether the Chinese PLA was preparing for permanent deployment Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane addressing the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Press Conference 2022 told, “Amassing of large forces by the Chinese in Eastern Ladakh is the root cause of the situation which developed. Now that they are there and they have made a lot of infrastructure it remains to be seen whether they will permanently garrison themselves there or they will be amenable to some kind of de-induction in times to come.”

    The Army Chief said that the reaching de-indcution will pass through several processes. But, before we reach that level, “we will have to be prepared to stay there as long as it required.”

    As far as the ongoing situation is concerned it will have to follow a few laid out steps. Firstly, it will be dis-engagement, then we can think of a little bit of de-scalation and by that (it means) moving back from being bang on LAC to the areas in depth areas but remaining in the general areas.

    “Once this kind of confidence is built up then we can think of de-induction wherein the troops can go in their permanent garrison.” 

    But, it has to be done mutually, the chief pointed out.

    Talking about the overall border situation Naravane said,the situation that existed last January, “I think we can say, there have been positive developments, both along our Northern and Western Borders in the last one year.”

    The 14th round of talks between the Indian and Chinese Corps Commanders was underway as the Chief was briefing the media.

    “Good thing that talks are going on, it shows that we can resolve our differences through dialogue. Each time we talk we narrow down to the issues, that is why this mechanism is important,” Chief brought out.

    To expect every round of talks to have an outcome is also quite unreasonable, number of rounds will be required to deal with the situation, Chief clarified, “We are hopeful that we will be able to resolve the issue of PP 15 (Hot Springs), the one which is pending as of now. Once that is done, we will go to other issues that predate the current standoff.”

    The other issues include the Depsang and Demchok standoffs.

    But while there has been partial disengagement, the Chief made it clear that “the threat has by no means reduced.”

    Force levels, in areas where dis-engagement is yet to take place, have been adequately enhanced with around 60,000 troops from both sides deployed in Eastern Ladakh and there has been few positives of the surprise standoff which began in May 2020.

    Keeping the incumbent situation, “Up-gradation and development of infrastructure, along the Northern Borders, is being carried out in a holistic, and comprehensive manner, including roads & tunnels, for all weather connectivity, Strategic Railway Lines, additional bridges across the Brahmaputra, up-gradation of bridges on critical, Indo-China Border Roads, and storage for supplies, fuel and ammunition. Major efforts have also been undertaken to identify dual use infrastructure,” said Army Chief.

    Talking about the Line of Control, “after a heightened situation for a prolonged period, the DGMOs Understanding, in February last year, was aimed at achieving mutually beneficial, and sustainable peace, along the LC. Resultantly, the situation has witnessed marked improvement.”

    Indian Army has resolved to show ‘Zero Tolerance’ to terror, and commit ourselves to extract dire costs, should that be forced upon us. There has been, “increase in concentration of terrorists in launch pads, across the LC and repeated infiltration attempts, once again expose their nefarious intents.”

    Elaborating on the situation in the North-Eastern General Naravane said “it remained under control”.

    Which has led to a graduated de-induction, of around two divisions from the counter terrorist duty to their primary duties.

    Chief, said that the crisis on the Northern Borders also had a silver lining. “We have used this crisis as an opportunity to fast-track infrastructure development, undertake doctrinal reviews and make-up operational voids, through Emergency and Fast Track Procurements.”

  • 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.

  • India and China discuss LAC disengagement

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The Corps Commanders of India and China met at Moldo Garrison on Sunday to discuss disengagement of troops from the standoff points in Eastern Ladakh. Sources said the meeting started at 10.30 am and got over at around 7 pm. The Indian delegation was led by Lt Gen PGK Menon.

    India has been pushing for disengagement from HotSpring, Depsang and Demchok which have been in standoff mode since long. There are around 60,000 soldiers on each side of the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. Both sides have also positioned tanks, artillery, missiles and heavy vehicles.

    There are indications of prolonged deployment in the area. Indian Army chief MM Naravane said on Saturday that China is sprucing up infrastructure and appears determined to stay for long.

    “It is a concern that there is a large scale build-up taking place….There has been infrastructural build-up by the Chinese side and that means they are there to stay…If they are there to stay, we are there to stay too,” Naravane had said. India has been keeping a close watch on all the activities of the PLA, he added.

  • Around two dozen Chinese fighter jets carry out exercise opposite Eastern Ladakh, India watches closely

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: With India and China engaged in a military standoff for more than a year now, the Chinese Air Force recently carried out a big aerial exercise from its airbases opposite Eastern Ladakh which was watched closely by the Indian side.

    “Around 21-22 of Chinese fighter aircraft mainly including the J-11s which are the Chinese copy of the Su-27 fighters and a few J-16 fighters held an exercise opposite the Indian territory in Eastern Ladakh,” defence sources told ANI.

    The exercise, which was held recently, was watched closely by the Indian side, they said.

    The Chinese fighter aircraft activities took place from its bases including the Hotan, Gar Gunsa and Kashgar airfields which have been upgraded recently to enable operations by all types of fighters along with concrete structures to hide away the presence of the number of fighters present at its different airbases, the sources said.

    The sources said the Chinese aircraft remained well within their territory during the aerial drills.The Indian fighter aircraft activity in the Ladakh area has gone up significantly since last year.

    “After the summer deployments of the Chinese troops and Air Force this year, the Indian Air Force has also been regularly deploying detachments of its fighters including the MiG-29s in Ladakh,” sources said.

    The Indian Air Force also regularly flies its most capable Rafale fighters over the Ladakh skies which have boosted the Indian capability all along the Line of Actual Control as 24 of these planes are already in the Indian inventory now.

    Sources said that even though the Chinese have withdrawn troops from the Pangong lake area, they have not moved their air defence systems including the HQ-9 and HQ-16 which can target aircraft at long ranges.

    India closely watched the activities of the Chinese Air Force including the airfields in Hotan, Gar Gunsa, Kashghar, Hopping, Dkonka Dzong, Linzhi and Pangat airbases in the Xinjiang and Tibet region.

    In the initial phase of the tension with China in the April-May timeframe, the Indian forces had seen the deployment of Su-30s and MiG-29s in the forward air bases and they had played an important role in thwarting an airspace violation bid by the Chinese aircraft in the Eastern Ladakh sector.

    The Indian Air Force has an edge over the Chinese in the Ladakh region as their fighters have to fly and take off from very high altitude bases while the Indian fleet can take off from plains and reach the mountainous region in almost no time.

    The Indian Air Force due to the speed of its assets can deploy aircraft squadrons at rapid speeds all across the country and despite limited resources, can use them very effectively.