Setting up hotline contact between China and India

Keeping channels in additional to diplomatic ones open for contact with the objective of de-escalating the prevailing situation on the eastern sector of Ladakh , China and India are progressively working in that direction. As is wont with the Chinese on less recurring manner indulging in intrusions and violations of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and to its surprise meeting with adequate and prompt response from the Indian side especially in respect of Chinese air space violations of the Indian territory though of minor nature, China and India having in principle agreed to establishing of hotline (contact) between the Air Forces of the two countries can be seen in an entire positive and constructive angle. India, as is known fairly to the world community, has been wedded to the high principles of maintaining and strengthening good neighbourly relations between the countries and working for peace, China on the other hand has shown its adamant attitude in not settling the ”remaining” friction points that came into existence due to Chinese violations of the LAC two years ago in Ladakh.
However, since despite holding as many as 16 round of talks at military levels, one after the other, periodically over the last two years between the two countries, the situation continues to be fluid where the armies of the two Asian giants are engaged in an eyeball to eyeball position, China has been seen not abhorring or ruling out holding talks and contacts and that policy indeed was going to de-escalate the tensions. The fresh move to establish a hotline (contact) between the two Air Forces would lead to removing of doubts and exchanging of certain information between the two countries from on the spot position which would vastly check any minor air violations from the country which in the absence of a hotline like contacts had the propensity to triggering a situation which could even lead to a major conflict between the two countries. China now having come to learn about India’s position in this respect in more clear terms carries lot of meaning.
China presently caught in a quagmire like situation in issues related to Taiwan where it continues to ”show” up its force which could become a watershed moment in the decades old conflict over the island and the US taking a firm stand against it, cannot afford to open more fronts to get involved hence in whatever form and manner , it tries to give talks and contacts between the two countries the required importance which India duly reciprocates. It is one thing that the element of an adamant posture by China in such meetings especially in 14th , 15th and 16th rounds of talks has proved not paving the way for a solution , quite another if such a channel would altogether be stopped which, therefore, means that every move in this direction needs to be encouraged and strengthened regardless of the results expected to be obtained in the shortest period of time.
The formalities and the structure etc of the proposed establishing of hotline between the two countries are to be worked out which can be decided mutually in the forthcoming military level talks . One development , however, in the entire process is participation of Indian Air Force though for the first time in the talks in addition to usually by the Army authorities and the next meeting, therefore, is expected to be represented by an officer of the rank of Air Vice Marshal. While the Army is already engaged extensively on the Ladakh sector following Chinese violations of the LAC, the stepping in by the IAF in the process stemmed from Chinese violations on a few occasions of Indian airspace which was duly responded by the IAF fighter aircraf.