News Analysis India

Tag: Ladakh standoff

  • Situation along LAC normal since February disengagement in Pangong areas: Army chief on Ladakh row

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The talks between India and China on the border row in eastern Ladakh have helped “build trust” and the situation in the region has been normal since the disengagement took place in the Pangong Tso areas in February, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane said on Thursday, exuding confidence of resolution of the “remaining issues”.

    In a virtual interactive session at a think-tank, Gen Naravane said the militaries of the two countries have been engaged in dialogue at various levels.

    “The situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is normal ever since the disengagement took place in February this year from the northern and southern banks of Pangong lake as well as the Kailash ranges,” he said.

    “Since then both sides have strictly adhered to in the letter and sprit of the disengagement that was agreed upon. We are engaging the Chinese at various levels at the political level, at the diplomatic level and of course at the military level,” Gen Naravane added.

    The Army chief was asked to comment on the situation in eastern Ladakh.

    “This talk between us is going on and this has helped build trust between the two sides. And going ahead, we are sure that we will be able to resolve all the remaining issues,” he said.

    At the same time, Gen Naravane said that the development along northern borders in the past year showed that the armed forces will have to be continuously prepared.

    ALSO READ: Drones will be used more in all sorts of combat, increases challenges, says Army Chief after Jammu attack

    The comments by the Army chief came three days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India believes in resolving disputes with neighbours through dialogue but it will not tolerate if provoked or threatened.

    India and China on June 25 held another round of diplomatic talks on the border row during which they agreed to hold the next round of military talks at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh.

    At the virtual meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs, the two sides had a “frank exchange” of views and decided to maintain dialogue to reach a mutually acceptable solution for withdrawal of troops in all friction points to enable progress in the overall ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

    India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year.

    However, the two sides 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.

    India has been particularly pressing for disengagement of troops in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang.

    According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

    There was no visible forward movement on 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.

  • In historic move, India deploys 50,000 more troops along China border 

    By Online Desk
    India has moved about 50,000 more troops to the China border amid a stalemate in the disengagement process in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, a Bloomberg report said.

    The additional deployment is expected to give India more options to attack and seize territory in China if necessary in a strategy known as “offensive defence”, the report quoted a senior official as saying. 

    As of now, India has about 200,000 troops deployed on the northern border. Besides, the Narendra Modi govt squadrons of fighter jets to three different areas along the China border in recent months. 

    The redeployment of troops along the border includes more helicopters to transport soldiers from the Kashmir Valley to the high altitude zones along with artillery pieces like the M777 howitzer built by BAE Systems Inc.

    India’s strategic focus has been primarily on Pakistan with which it fought three wars over the disputed Kashmir region. However, in the wake of the deadliest standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh last year, the Modi government has taken several steps to ease tensions with Beijing but at the same time asking the armed forces to be ready for any eventuality, the report said.

    ALSO READ | Situation at border with India generally stable, resolving issues through ‘negotiations’: China

    Meanwhile, in a clear message to China amid a stalemate in the disengagement process in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing soldiers in Ladakh on Monday, said India believes in resolving disputes with neighbours through dialogue but it will not tolerate if provoked or threatened.

    Speaking at an event in a forward location on the second day of his visit to the region, Singh said India is a peace-loving nation that never resorts to any kind of aggression but its armed forces are always prepared to give a befitting reply to those who “show their eyes” to the country.

    Asserting that the nation’s safety and security will not be compromised at any cost, Singh said the solution to any dispute can be found if there is clear intent.

    The defence minister also paid glowing tributes to the 20 soldiers killed in the Galwan Valley clashes in June last year and said the country will never forget their sacrifices.

    “India is a peace-loving nation which does not believe in aggression, however, if provoked, we will give a befitting reply,” he said.

    Singh’s three-day visit to the region comes in the midst of a stalemate in resolving over a year-long standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in several friction points in eastern Ladakh though they withdrew troops and weapons from Pangong lake areas in February.

  • India and China agree to maintain dialogue to resolve LAC standoff; IAF to stay vigilant

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India and China on Friday agreed to hold the next round of military talks at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh amid fresh sparring between the two sides on the prolonged LAC standoff.

    At a virtual meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs, the two sides had a “frank exchange” of views and decided to maintain dialogue to reach a mutually acceptable solution for withdrawal of troops in all friction points to enable progress in the overall ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) here.

    In a statement at the end of the talks, the MEA said both sides agreed on the need to find an early resolution to the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

    The talks took place in the backdrop of a fresh round of sparring between the two sides over the standoff as well as deadlock in further movement in the disengagement process after the withdrawal of troops by both sides from the north and south banks of Pangong Lake in February.

    “Both sides agreed on the need to find an early resolution to the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh keeping in view the agreement reached between the two foreign ministers in September 2020,” the MEA statement said.

    “In this regard, the two sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through the diplomatic and military mechanisms to reach a mutually acceptable solution for complete disengagement from all friction points so as to ensure full restoration of peace and tranquillity to enable progress in the bilateral relations,” it added.

    The MEA said both sides also agreed that in the interim, the two sides will continue to ensure stability on the ground and prevent any untoward incident.

    “The two sides agreed to hold the next round of the senior commanders meeting at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement from all the friction points along the LAC in the western sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols,” it said.

    India refers to the eastern Ladakh region as the western sector.

    The previous round of military talks(11th round) was held on April 9.

    “The two sides had a frank exchange of views on the situation along the LAC in the western sector of the India-China border areas,” the MEA said.

    A war of words broke out between India and China on the border standoff this week.

    India on Thursday blamed China for the standoff saying its amassing of a large number of troops close to the border and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC last year were responsible for seriously disturbing peace and tranquillity in the region.

    India’s response came after China said its military deployment in the region is a normal defence arrangement aimed at “preventing and responding” to alleged “encroachment and threat” on Chinese territory by India.

    The WMCC meet was co-chaired by MEA’s additional secretary (East Asia) Naveen Srivastava and the director general of the boundary and oceanic department of China’s foreign ministry.

    India and China had reached a five-point agreement to resolve the border standoff during talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) conclave.

    The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC.

    India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year.

    However, the two sides 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.

    India has been particularly pressing for disengagement of troops in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang.

    According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive high altitude sector.

    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 to this issue at the 11th round of military talks.

    Last month, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said there can be no de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh and that the Indian Army is prepared for all contingencies in the region.

    Gen Naravane also said that India is dealing with China in a “firm” and “non-escalatory” manner to ensure the sanctity of its claims in eastern Ladakh, and that it was even open to initiating confidence-building measures.

    Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria has lauded the Western Air Command (WAC) for its swift response in the face of the bitter border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh and directed it to keep the operational readiness at the “highest level”, officials said on Friday.

    The Chief of Air Staff was addressing a two-day conference of the top commanders of the WAC which looks after the security of the country’s air space in the sensitive Ladakh sector as well as various other parts of north India.

    In his remarks, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria directed the commanders to ensure that the operational readiness of all platforms, weapon systems and assets are kept at the “highest level”, the officials said.

    The commanders deliberated extensively on security challenges facing the country along the northern border during the deliberations that concluded on Friday.

    In his remarks, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria emphasised the need for critical analysis of the evolving security matrix, enhancing operational preparedness and ensuring robust physical and cybersecurity infrastructure.

    “The Chief of Air Staff appreciated the swift response and high commitment shown by all bases in WAC in the recent standoff on our Northern frontiers despite the constraints posed by the ongoing pandemic,” the IAF said in a statement.

    Following the escalation in tension in eastern Ladakh in mid-June last year, the Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed almost all its frontline fighter jets like Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 aircraft as well as its attack helicopters in the key air bases in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere along the Line of Actual Control.

    Since last September, newly-inducted Rafale jets too started carrying out sorties in various forward areas in eastern Ladakh as part of measures to give a boost to India’s combat readiness in the region.

    The Chief of Air Staff also appreciated the aerospace safety record of the WAC and urged the commanders to continue their efforts towards a safe operational environment.

    “He underlined the future of IAF by enhancing operational capability through force structuring along with self-reliance and indigenisation with an aim to transform the IAF into a potent aerospace power,” the IAF said.

    India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year.

    However, the two sides 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.

    India has been particularly pressing for disengagement of troops in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang.

    According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control in the sensitive sector.

    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.

    Last month, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said that there can be no de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh and that the Indian Army is prepared for all contingencies in the region.

    Gen Naravane also said that India is dealing with China in a “firm” and “non-escalatory” manner to ensure the sanctity of its claims in eastern Ladakh, and that it was even open to initiating confidence-building measures.

  • China’s amassing of troops, attempt to alter status quo responsible for Ladakh row: India

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India on Thursday blamed China’s actions of amassing a large number of troops close to the border and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) last year for the continuing military standoff in eastern Ladakh, and asserted that these acts were in violation of Sino-India bilateral agreements.

    India’s strong comments on the border row came a day after China said its military deployment in the region is a normal defence arrangement aimed at “preventing and responding” to “encroachment and threat” on Chinese territory by “relevant country”.

    “It is well recognised that it has been the Chinese actions over the last year, including amassing of a large number of troops close to border areas in the western sector and trying to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC, which have seriously disturbed peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” external affairs ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

    “These acts are in violation of our bilateral agreements, including the 1993 and 1996 agreements that mandate that the two sides shall strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control and that two sides will keep their military forces in the areas along the LAC to a minimum level,” Bagchi said.

    He was responding to a question on the comments made by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Wednesday that the military deployment by China in the western sector along the border is a “normal defence arrangement.

    “China’s military deployment along the western section of the China-India border is a normal defence arrangement aimed at preventing and responding to encroachment and threat on China’s territory by relevant country,” he said.

    Zhao made these comments when asked about External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent remarks that the issue relating to the border row is whether Beijing would live up to its written commitments about not deploying a large armed force along the frontier.

    Asked when the next round of diplomatic talks under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) will take place, Bagchi said he does not have an update on it.

    India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year.

    However, the two sides 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.

    India has been particularly pressing for disengagement of troops in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang.

    According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control in the sensitive sector.

    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.

    Last month, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said that there can be no de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh and that the Indian Army is prepared for all contingencies in the region.

    Gen Naravane also said that India is dealing with China in a “firm” and “non-escalatory” manner to ensure the sanctity of its claims in eastern Ladakh, and that it was even open to initiating confidence-building measures.

  • China’s amassing of troops, attempt to altar status quo responsible for Ladakh row: India

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India on Thursday blamed China’s actions of amassing a large number of troops close to the border and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) last year for the continuing military standoff in eastern Ladakh, and asserted that these acts were in violation of Sino-India bilateral agreements.

    India’s strong comments on the border row came a day after China said its military deployment in the region is a normal defence arrangement aimed at “preventing and responding” to “encroachment and threat” on Chinese territory by “relevant country”.

    “It is well recognised that it has been the Chinese actions over the last year, including amassing of a large number of troops close to border areas in the western sector and trying to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC, which have seriously disturbed peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” external affairs ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

    “These acts are in violation of our bilateral agreements, including the 1993 and 1996 agreements that mandate that the two sides shall strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control and that two sides will keep their military forces in the areas along the LAC to a minimum level,” Bagchi said.

    He was responding to a question on the comments made by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Wednesday that the military deployment by China in the western sector along the border is a “normal defence arrangement.

    “China’s military deployment along the western section of the China-India border is a normal defence arrangement aimed at preventing and responding to encroachment and threat on China’s territory by relevant country,” he said.

    Zhao made these comments when asked about External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent remarks that the issue relating to the border row is whether Beijing would live up to its written commitments about not deploying a large armed force along the frontier.

    Asked when the next round of diplomatic talks under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) will take place, Bagchi said he does not have an update on it.

    India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year.

    However, the two sides 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.

    India has been particularly pressing for disengagement of troops in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang.

    According to military officials, each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control in the sensitive sector.

    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.

    Last month, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said that there can be no de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh and that the Indian Army is prepared for all contingencies in the region.

    Gen Naravane also said that India is dealing with China in a “firm” and “non-escalatory” manner to ensure the sanctity of its claims in eastern Ladakh, and that it was even open to initiating confidence-building measures.

  • No de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points: Army Chief Gen Naravane on Ladakh standoff with China

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: In a clear and unambiguous message to China, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on Friday said there can be no de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh, and that the Indian Army is prepared for all contingencies in the region.

    In an exclusive interview to PTI, Gen Naravane said India is dealing with China in a “firm” and “non-escalatory” manner to ensure the sanctity of its claims in eastern Ladakh, and that it was even open to initiating confidence-building measures.

    It has been more than a year since the military standoff between the two sides erupted in eastern Ladakh on May 5, 2020 during which there were fatalities on both sides for the first time in 45 years.

    They have made limited progress in achieving disengagement at the Pangong lake area while negotiations for similar steps at other friction points remained deadlocked.

    Gen Naravane asserted that the Indian Army is currently holding onto all important areas in the high-altitude region and it has adequate personnel in the form of “reserves” to respond to any contingencies.

    “We are very clear that no de-escalation can take place before disengagement at all friction points. India and China have signed a number of border agreements which have been unilaterally breached by the People’s Liberation Army(PLA),” he said.

    “Though we want peace and tranquillity at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and are open to initiating confidence-building measures, we remain prepared for all contingencies.”

    He also said the situation along the northern border is under control and that the coming rounds of military talks with China will focus on restoring the status quo ante of April 2020.

    “Indian Army is very clear that no loss of territory or unilateral change in status quo will be permitted. We are dealing with the Chinese in a firm and non-escalatory way, ensuring the sanctity of our claims in eastern Ladakh,” he added.

    To a question on when a resolution to the standoff can be expected in areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang in eastern Ladakh, the Army Chief said it was difficult to predict the timeline.

    “The Indian Army maintains all protocols and agreements between the two countries while the PLA escalated the situation by utilisation of unorthodox weapons and amassing a large number of troops,” he said, in a reference to the Galwan Valley clashes last June.

    “Troops are currently holding all important areas and we have adequate troops in the form of ‘reserves’ to react to any contingencies,” the Army Chief added.

    India-China ties came under severe strain following the deadly clashes at the Galwan valley following which both sides rushed in thousands of additional troops as well as battle tanks and other large weapons to the region.

    “The trust levels are bound to be low when a major standoff takes place between two countries leading to casualties on both sides. However, it is always our endeavour that this trust deficit should not hinder the negotiation process,” Gen Naravane said.

    “As two professional armies, it is imperative that we resolve the situation and make progress to restore trust at the earliest.”

    Asked about the possibility of any escalation of tension in the region, Gen Naravane said there has been no infringement by the Chinese side following the agreement on the disengagement in the Pangong lake area and that chances of any untoward incident is low.

    He also said the strength of troops on both sides at present are more or less what it was last year and that the Indian Army was aware of what is happening in the region, adding “you cannot be complacent”.

    The Chief of Army Staff said the training areas of the PLA located in depth areas at a distance of around 1,000 km from the LAC are also being looked at.

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

    Gen Naravane said the process for the next round of military talks was underway.

    At the same time, he added, “we should not expect result from every round of talks.”

    Asked about China building villages near the LAC in the Arunachal Pradesh sector as well along its border with Bhutan, Gen Naravane said it is possibly part of a plan to have more population in the areas along with infrastructure development.

    “They (China) are building the villages on their side. Additional infrastructure is also being developed to cater to the increasing population,” he said.

    He said India has also been developing infrastructure along the LAC that included habitat, water supply and electrification.

    Nine months after the military standoff at multiple friction points, both sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of the Pangong lake in February as part of an agreement reached following a series of military and diplomatic talks.

    The two sides have held 11 rounds of military talks with an aim to ensure disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points.

    Both the militaries 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 at the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach at the last round of talks on April 9.

    The Chinese military is currently conducting a drill at its training areas near the Ladakh region.

  • India-China ties at crossroads: Jaishankar on ongoing Ladakh standoff

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The relationship between India and China is at a crossroads and its direction depends on whether the neighbouring country adheres to various agreements on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday referring to the eastern Ladakh standoff.

    Jaishankar said the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s visit in 1988 to China 26 years after the 1962 conflict led to a consensus on having stability along the frontier which was followed by the signing of two important agreements in 1993 and 1996 on maintaining peace and tranquillity at the border.

    The stability at the border led to the expansion of relations in several sectors, but it was adversely impacted following what happened in eastern Ladakh, he said at a webinar organised jointly organised by the Financial Times and the Indian Express.

    At a media briefing, Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas would enable progress in the bilateral relationship and that the disengagement of troops at friction points in eastern Ladakh remained “unfinished”.

    The ties between the two countries came under severe strain following a deadly clash in the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh in June last, over a month after the border standoff began between the Indian and Chinese militaries in multiple friction points in the region.

    “I think the relationship is at a crossroads and which direction we go depends on whether the Chinese side would adhere to the consensus; whether it would follow through on the agreements which we both have done. What is very clear in the last year is that border tensions cannot continue with cooperation in other areas,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Keeping an eye on drill by Chinese military near Ladakh region: General Naravane

    Asked about China’s attempts to expand influence in the region and competition between the two countries, Jaishankar said India is ready to compete and it has its inherent strength as well as the influence that goes deep into the Indo-Pacific on the one side and Africa and Europe on the other.

    “It is one thing to compete, it is another thing to have violence on the border,” he said.

    “I am ready to compete. That is not the issue for me. The issue for me is how do I manage a relationship if the basis of the relationship has been violated by one side,” he said.

    The external affairs minister said the economic relationship and ties in other sectors between the two countries were driven by the stabilisation of the border through the 1980s and 1990s.

    “I do not have a clear cut answer at this point of time. We had the border conflict of 1962 and it took us really 26 years to have the first prime minister’s visit in 1988 when Rajiv Gandhi went to China. There was a 1988 sort of consensus which stabilised the border,” he said.

    He was asked about where things stand now in ties between the two nations.

    Jaishankar said the agreements in 1993 and 1996 on border management paved the way for the expansion of overall ties.

    “Those agreements essentially stipulated that you will not bring large armed forces to the border and the Line of Actual Control would be observed, respected and there would be no attempt to change the status quo unilaterally. Now what we saw last year was actually China departing from the 1988 consensus,” he said.

    ALSO READ | China builds key highway through Brahmaputra Canyon in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh border

    Jaishankar said there is definitely going to impact the ties if the peace and tranquillity at the border are disturbed, “if you disturb the peace and tranquillity if you have bloodshed as you pointed out if there is intimidation if there is continuing friction at the border.”

    To a question on further disengagement in eastern Ladakh, Bagchi said that full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas would enable progress in the bilateral ties.

    He also referred to Jaishankar’s telephonic talks with the Chinese foreign minister last month.

    Bagchi said Jaishankar conveyed to his Chinese counterpart that while the process of disengagement had commenced earlier this year it remained “unfinished” and emphasised on early completion of the process.

    “In this context, the two sides have agreed in the interim that they would maintain stability on the ground and avoid any new incidents,” he said.

    “It is our expectation therefore that neither side should take any action that is not keeping with these understandings. Full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas would enable progress in the bilateral relationship,” Bagchi added.

    India and China 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.

    The Chinese military is currently conducting a drill in its training areas near the Ladakh region.

    Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane said on Wednesday said India is keeping a constant eye on activities by the Chinese military.

    He also hoped that both sides will be able to make forward movement in resolving issues in other areas.

    In the interactive session, Jaishankar said the Quad or Quadrilateral dialogue has brought together countries with a growing degree of comfort with each other, shared interest in key global and regional challenges like connectivity maritime security, technology, vaccines, resilient supply chains and climate change.

    “Today, Quad fills a gap which cannot be addressed simply by four bilat relationships, aggregated, and a multilateral or regional structure which isn’t there, something has to fill that space Quad helps to fill the gap,” he said.

    Jaishankar also said that arguments of the Cold war cannot be used to deny other countries their right to maximise their options.

  • India needs to restore deterrence to stop China from attempting to nibble at LAC: Ex-NSA Shivshankar Menon

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India needs to restore deterrence if it wants to stop China from attempting to nibble at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and changing its status quo, noted strategic affairs expert and former National Security Adviser and foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon said on Saturday.

    In an online discussion, he said making noises or building some international coalition in response to what China has been doing will be ineffective and India needs to strengthen itself along the LAC to make sure that the neighbouring country is not able to change the situation in its favour.

    “The answer is not making noise or building some international coalition or passing resolution at the UN. To my mind (it) is ineffective. If you want to stop them from nibbling at the LAC and changing the status quo, you need to restore deterrence which we did partially around Pangong in August. You need to restore it across the line,” he said.

    Menon, whose book ‘India and Asian Geopolitics: Past, Present and Future’ has just been released, was replying to a question at the discussion organised by the Indian Women’s Press Corps.

    He also called for a broader vision of India’s relationship with China.

    “If we are saying peace and tranquillity is an essential condition for the rest of the relationship, then how do you explain the fact that in 2020, China again became your biggest trading partner overtaking the US which has been your number one trading partner in 2019.

    How do you explain the first quarter of this year, where trade has boomed between you and China, maybe because of medical supplies and the outrageous prices they are charging, whatever it is,” Menon said.

    The former NSA also said that problem arises when attempts are made to spin the issues.

    “The problem is when we start spinning these issues when we play them for domestic politics when we start telling lies about what is happening, what is not happening. Then you cannot deal with it effectively on the ground. Then it becomes very difficult,” he said.

    He said there was a need to think about how far India can economically decouple itself from China and what it is going to do to strengthen itself on the LAC to make sure that China cannot keep changing the situation in its favour whenever it suits it.

    Asked whether the perception of India’s mishandling of the second wave of the coronavirus crisis will have an impact on its image, Menon said it was not possible now to gauge if there would be any long-term impact.

    “I do not know about the long-term impact. I do not think we can say anything yet. But it certainly means that people will not rely on you to some extent,” he said.

    On what should be India’s foreign policy priorities, Menon said it must focus on consolidating relations with countries in the neighbourhood as also in the Indian Ocean region which included Southeast Asian nations.

    “You have to be much more with your neighbours, especially when the world is getting more and more chaotic, more and more fractious, much more difficult,” he said.

    In that context, he also mentioned that walking away from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was a “huge mistake” by India.

    In November 2019, India pulled out of the RCEP over unresolved core concerns saying the pact in its current form would have an adverse impact on the lives and livelihoods of all Indians.

    “So this idea that we can cut off from the word and we are a world unto ourselves; we have so much demand at home and we will run ourselves; for me, that’s crazy thinking,” Menon said, adding there could have been many ways to deal with the issue.

    To a question, whether domestic politics was driving foreign policy he suggested that it has been the case always.

    “If you have a domestic politics which is clear about the kind of India you want and the kind of world you want to enable that India; then it is much easier to deal with the world and the world also knows what to do with you,” he said.

    “They also know what to expect from you and at least for a very long time, we had a very clear view where democracy we were building as a secular, modern democratic country of our own and that is what we would like the world to be a democratic place where laws applied, which is peaceful, and therefore, enabled the rise of India,” Menon said.

    He said India was a very active participant in the international processes and that it had a very clear view of its role in the world and what kind of world it wanted.

    The former foreign secretary also cited examples of how neighbouring countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka looked up to India in drawing inspiration.

    “That’s stopped; why, because you are not clear what kind of India you are building up.

    You are busy arguing about that among yourselves.

    And the India that they see some people are arguing for in India is not very attractive to your own neighbours.

    So the power of example today no longer works.

    “So, it is not just, oh, we dragged domestic politics into our foreign policy, it is the kind of domestic politics we have dragged into our foreign policy that makes the trouble,” he said.

    Asked about the escalation in the conflict between Israel and Palestine, he said the problem is that Israeli politics were in a very complicated state.

    He said there is a real risk of further deterioration of the ground situation because of the nature of Israeli politics with the ambition of individual politicians wanting to look more heroic than their rivals.

    On the Quad or Quadrilateral coalition comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan, Menon said New Delhi has significant interests in ensuring freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and it must seize the available options considering its strategic interests.

    He said if the Quad serves some of India’s interests, then it should go for it.

  • China thought it could push us with tech advantage, says CDS Gen Rawat

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat said on Thursday that China went into an aggressive mode against India as a plan to change the status quo at the LAC against which New Delhi stood firm and gained international support. 

    General Rawat said India will never get pushed. “They (Chinese) tried to change the status quo by using disruptive technology without resorting to force. They thought India would succumb to the pressure in the face of technological advances that apparently had,” Rawat said at Raisina Dialogue 2021. 

    “India has stood firm on the northern borders, and we have proved that we will not get pushed. In whatever we have been able to achieve in standing firm, in preventing a change of status quo, we have been able to gather world support.” 

    The Indian Army and the PLA have been in a state of standoff at various points at the LAC in eastern Ladakh since May last year. “It is Chinese advancement in disruptive technology which is leading them to believe that they can compel other nations to succumb.

    China has been able to create disruptive technologies which can paralyse vital networks of the adversary… and they believe that just by a little pushing and shoving, they would be able to compel nations to give in to their demands,” said the CDS. 

    There are some nations, said Gen Rawat, who think “they make their own rules and regulations” leading to conflicts. “That’s what we are witnessing on our northern borders,” he added.

  • In Ladakh Standoff, India-China To Hold 11th Round Of Talks Today To Review LAC Situation

    Seeking to resolve the ongoing issues along with the friction points in Gogra, Hot Springs ad Depsang plains in Ladakh, India and China will hold the 11th round of military talks on Friday. Sources from the Indian Army said that India has made clear that it would agree to de-escalation only if it is simultaneous and the withdrawal is equal from both sides and addresses mutual security concerns.

     Earlier on April 2, the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) stressed that India was looking forward to ensuring that the disengagement in the remaining areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at the earliest. Elaborating on the series of engagements since the disengagement in the Pangong Tso region, MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi affirmed that both sides continued to remain in touch. Quoting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, he stressed that prolonging the situation is in neither country’s interest. According to Bagchi, further disengagement might open up the possibility of de-escalation of forces and progress in bilateral ties.The Ladakh standoff was exacerbated when 21 Indian Army soldiers including a Commanding Officer were martyred in the Galwan Valley on June 15, 2020, when the de-escalation process was underway. This was followed by multiple attempts of provocation by the Chinese side at the end of August. Multiple rounds of military commander-level and WMCC meetings have taken place between the two sides to resolve the crisis. Besides this, EAM S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have met their respective counterparts. So far India and China’s armies have disengaged from two places, including north and south of Pangong Tso. 

    The Ladakh standoff was exacerbated when 21 Indian Army soldiers including a Commanding Officer were martyred in the Galwan Valley on June 15, 2020, when the de-escalation process was underway. This was followed by multiple attempts of provocation by the Chinese side at the end of August. Multiple rounds of military commander-level and WMCC meetings have taken place between the two sides to resolve the crisis. Besides this, EAM S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have met their respective counterparts. So far India and China’s armies have disengaged from two places, including north and south of Pangong Tso.