Col B S Nagial (Retd)
The sixteenth round of talk between the Corps Commanders of India and China was held on 17July 2022 at ChusulMoldo. After that, the two sides were engaged in regular touch to build further on the breakthrough achieved during these talks to resolve the border issues along the Line of Control(LAC) in the Western Sector of the Indo-China border. These ongoing talks paved the way for the disengagement in the area of Gogra-Hot Spring(PP-15).As per the consensus, the disengagement process started at 0830 hrs on 8 Sept 2022 and was completed on 12 Sept 2022. India and China have also agreed to cease the forward locations deployment in this region. They will carry out a mutually verified, coordinated, phased manner movement to their previously occupied locations.
It was also agreed that both sides would dismantle the temporary infrastructure created in the area. It is pertinent to mention that landforms in this area will be restored to pre-stand-off positions. The agreement guarantees that the LAC in this area will be strictly observed and respected by both India and China, and the status of the LAC will not be changed unilaterally. By deciding on the resolution of the stand-off at PP-15, both sides mutually agreed to take the talks forward, resolve the remaining issues, and restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC.
With this disengagement completed, troops from both sides, locked in a showdown ever since May 2020, have disengaged from all the friction points in the region, which encompassed the north-south banks of Pangong Tso, PP-14, PP-15 and PP-17A. But the more significant concerns of other contentious boundary issues remain unsolved. Despsang and Charding Nala areas still remain unresolved. But now, at least there is one less problem at the Indo-China border.
After the Galwan crisis, China deployed more than 60,000 troops opposite the Indian Territory in Eastern Ladakh and continues to build the infrastructure, roads, and bridges to improve its defences. The Chinese numbers and activities have surged immensely in the past few years and threatened India’s territorial and sovereign integrity.To counter our adversary’s moves close to the LAC, the Indian Army(IA) responded strongly and rapidly. IA brought troops to the region and created infrastructure to accommodate additional troops. IA kept all the mountain passes open to move troops quickly in case of any emergency. IA & PLA remained in eyeball-to-eyeball contact for more than two years and are now separated by the buffer zones created mutually.
The IA created habitats for thousands of troops deployed in the high-altitude areas, which are harsh and inhospitable and deployed along the border of 1597 Kms of LAC in this region. Roads and bridges were built on a war footing, and India galvanised the logistic process. Some of the severe challenges posed were how to accommodate the additional troops in such inhospitable terrain, and the other was maintaining the troops’ good health. Injuries associated with winters, such as hypothermia, chill blains, frostbites, cerebrovascular accidents, cortical venous thrombosis, heart attacks, and pulmonary hypertension, are so severe that many patients had to be airlifted to Chandigarh/Delhi. The logistics of evacuating sick soldiers from their post to the hospital in Leh and onward treatment is very cumbersome.
Further adding to the suffering is the harsh and abruptweather packing up, not allowing any air evacuation. Therefore, the loss of life due to the vagaries of the weather is very disheartening and psychologically impacts other soldiers. In such a condition, the Army Medical Corps(AMC) played a crucial role in attending the sick persons, especially in Srinagar, Chandigarh and Delhi.
A large number of high-tech equipment deployed in the region includes the T 90 and T 72 tanks, mechanised infantry combat vehicles, radar systems for air defence and early warning, specialist radio equipment, Artillery guns and mortars, Surveillance equipment and many other optoelectronic devices.Maintaining such sensitive equipment in such a problematic area is an uphill task.
The challenges of this type of terrain are natural and almost overstraining. From the health of troops to the maintenance of costly high-tech equipment is challenging. The never say die attitude of the soldiers of the Indian Army and leadership, especially at the junior level, kept the Indian flag flying high.The grit and determination of Indian Army troops against heavy odds and high morale in the face of adversity make the IA one of the world’s best fighting forces.
In a bid to solve the Eastern Ladakh impasse, sixteen rounds of military-level talks were held between India and China. Combined and mutual efforts at various levels have led to this disengagement, which is a constructive step. Built on mutual and equal security, efforts would continue to find a lasting solution to the border issues. IA showed long-lasting patience, perseverance, self-confidence and maturity while dealing with our adversary.Hence, the IA won’t let any attempt to change the status quo along the country’s borders unilaterally.
All through the stand-off, no untoward incident happened along the border with China in Eastern Ladakh except Galwan Valley clashes. India has constantly upheld that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are indispensable for the overall growth of relations between the two countries.
The cause of this stand-off and earlier conflict and skirmishes is the ill-defined border of 3488 km between India and China. Rivers, lakes and snowbound peaks aligning with LAC means that line could be shifted anytime, bringing soldiers from both sides facing each other at numerous friction points, thus sparking a confrontation. Only after the Indian Army’sOperation Snow Leopard in August 2020, which took control of posts on the south and north bank of Pangong Tso and other locations in eastern Ladakh, to keep a hawk-eye vigil on Chinese-held positions. The Chinese felt disadvantaged and showed more urgency in negotiating the disengagement at Pangong Tso.
Apart from military manoeuvres, the eventual disengagement results from India’s multi-pronged approach across various levels, such as economic, technological, political and diplomatic, to counter the Chinese challenge. India’s demand for status-quo ante has been primarily met at Pangong Tso, with the Chinese disengaging and dismantling all infrastructure built between April 2020 and February 2021.
Disengaging from the points of friction is undoubtedly a step forward, and India and China must go a long way to solve the border dispute. India should continue to press for complete disengagement and de-escalation from all friction areas. Also, the Corps Commanders level talks must continue as the relationship cannot go back to normal as long as the situation along the stand-off lingers. India must keep its stand firm over restoring the status quo and rebuilding peace all along the LAC. Border talk should be linked to business and other activities.India has continuously stated that the relationship cannot go back to normal if the situation along the LAC and the stand-off continued. India has repetitively called for the restoration of the status quo and restoration along the LAC.The Indian Government must constantly watch all developments that affect India’s security and take all essential measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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