Line of Actual Control (LAC) : India & Tibet Border Updates
- Thread starter Shashank
- Start date
Is he inaccurate in stating that this disengagement will be beneficial for us, from a territorial & military standpoint ?
if that's what he is actually stating, I couldn't read the article yet...
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh’s statement in Rajya Sabha on ‘Present Situation in Eastern Ladakh
Hon’ble Chairman,The House would recall that I had made a detailed statement on the developments in the India-China border areas in Eastern Ladakh during the last session in September last year. I had highlighted that the Chinese side had since April/May 2020 amassed large number of troops and armaments in the border areas adjacent to Eastern Ladakh. It had also made several attempts to transgress the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in various parts. These actions of the Chinese side had been detected and appropriately responded to by our armed forces. The House and the Nation had also paid homage to the brave Indian soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice and laid down their lives in the cause of defending the territorial integrity of India.I would today like to apprise the House of certain important developments since then.
Since last September, both sides have maintained communication with each other through military and diplomatic channels. Our objective was to effect disengagement and maintain status quo along the LAC so as to restore peace and tranquility.
Let me briefly recapitulate the main aspects of the situation on the ground. As the House is aware, China illegally occupied approximately 38,000 sq. kms in the Union Territory of Ladakh, mainly during the 1962 conflict. In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. kms. of Indian territory in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China. China, thus is in illegal occupation of more than 43,000 sq. kms of Indian territory.It also claims approximately 90,000 sq. kms. of Indian territory in the Eastern Sector of the India-China boundary in Arunachal Pradesh. India has never accepted this illegal occupation of our territory or the unjustified claims.
I would like to add here that India has consistently maintained that while bilateral relations can develop in parallel with discussions on resolving the boundary question, any serious disturbance in peace and tranquility along the LAC in the border areas is bound to have adverse implications for the direction of our bilateral ties. The Chinese side is well aware of our position. In fact, various high level Joint Statements have acknowledged this point that maintenance of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the border areas is a fundamental premise for development of relations.
Theactions by the Chinese side since last year have seriously disturbed peace and tranquility. Consequentlythey have also had an impact on the overall relationship. In our various high level interactions with the Chinese side, including in my own meeting with Chinese Defence Minister last September, my colleague the External Affairs Minister Shri Jaishankarji’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister and NSA Shri Doval’s conversation with his Chinese counterpart, we have made it clear that the foremost need was to ensure disengagement in all the friction points along the LAC in the Western Sector so as to help restore peace and tranquility.
Hon’ble Chairman,
I had apprised the House last year that there were several friction areas in Eastern Ladakhalong the LAC. In addition, the Chinese side had mobilized a large number of troops and armaments along the LAC as well as in the depth areas. Our armed forces too had made adequate and effective counter deployments in these areas to ensure that India’s security interests were fully protected.
I am proud to say that our Armed Forces have responded to the challenges posed by the unilateral Chinese action and have shown valour and courage on bothSouth and North bank of Pangong Tso. Many strategically important points were identified and our troops positioned themselves at those Hill Tops and at locations which were very important from our point of view. It is because of this great bravery of our Armed Forces in the face of harsh adverse climatic conditions that we maintained the edge. Our Armed Forces proved yet again that territorial integrity of our country remains safe in their hands and their grit and determination to safeguard our borders is unwavering.
Over the last year, we have maintained diplomatic and military engagement with the Chinese side. In these discussions, we have maintained the three key principles that determine our approach: (i) both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC; (ii) neither side should attempt to alter the status quo unilaterally; and (iii) all agreements and understandings between the two sides must be fully abided by in their entirety. To ensure disengagement in friction points along the LAC, it was our view that troops of both sides, who are now in close proximity, should vacate the forward deployments made in 2020 and return to the permanent and accepted bases.
Hon’ble Chairman,
Our approach and strategy for negotiations with the Chinese side has been guided at the highest level by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s resolve that we will not give even an inch of Indian territory. Our tenacity and approach during talks have yielded results.
Since September 2020, based on the policy guidance, military and diplomatic officials of both sides have met several times to work out a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement. Till date, there have been 9 rounds of meetings of the Senior Commanders of both sides. Diplomatic talks have continued in parallel under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC).
Hon’ble Chairman,
I am happy to inform the House today that as a result of our well thought out approach and sustained talks with the Chinese side, we have now been able to reach an agreement on disengagement in the North and South Bank of the Pangong Lake. It has also beenagreed to convene the next meeting of the Senior Commanders within 48 hours after the complete disengagement in the Pangong Lake area so as to address and resolve all other remaining issues.
The agreement that we have been able to reach with the Chinese side for disengagement in the Pangong lake area envisages that both sides will cease their forward deployments in a phased, coordinated and verified manner. The Chinese side will keep its troop presence in the North Bank area to east of Finger 8.Reciprocally, the Indian troops will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3. A similar action would be taken in the South Bank area by both sides. These are mutual and reciprocal steps and any structures that had been built by both sides since April 2020 in both North and South Bank area will be removed and the landforms will be restored. It has also been agreed to have a temporary moratorium on military activities by both sides in the North Bank, including patrolling to the traditional areas. Patrolling will be resumed only when both sides reach an agreement in diplomatic and military talks that would be held subsequently. The implementation of this agreement has started yesterday in the North and South Bank of the Pangong Lake. It will substantially restore the situation to that existing prior to commencement of the standoff last year.
13. I want to assure this House that in these talks we have not conceded anything. The House should also know that there are still some outstanding issues with regard to deployment and patrolling at some other points along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. These will be the focus of further discussions with the Chinese side. We have agreed that both sides should achieve complete disengagement at the earliest and abide fully by the bilateral agreements and protocols. By now, the Chinese side is also fully aware of our resolve. It is therefore our expectation that the Chinese side will work with us in full sincerity to resolve these remaining issues.
Hon’ble Chairman,
I would like this House to join me in paying gratitude to our armed forces who have shown grit and resolve under these extremely harsh climatic conditions of Ladakh which has resulted in the present agreement.Our Nation will always remember the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers which has been the foundation of this disengagement at Pangong Tso Lake.
Hon’bleChairman,
I am confident that this entire House, irrespective of political affiliations, is united together for upholding our sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and national security. And further, this House is one in sending out the same message demonstrating the strength and unity of our Nation to the entire world.
Jai Hind.
He's basically claiming any deal will be signed in favour of the Chinese and our govt will sing its praises after. The fact is we do not know what has been agreed to yet. So he's pre-emptively attacking the govt by creating doubt.
I wish we stuck to our positions there is no way chinese are going to give away any thing. Bet they will creep up after 6 months or so.
May be we can agree upon reducing the force levels but should have enuf force to claim our positions.
Both sides were looking for a face saver. Neither wanted a war for their own reasons.
Now if only we could actually trust the Chinese. This time whole of India is just expecting them to go back only to come back someplace else or cause new mischief.
Now if only we could actually trust the Chinese. This time whole of India is just expecting them to go back only to come back someplace else or cause new mischief.
Rajnath Singh: Indian troops on hill tops, we have edge in Ladakh | India News - Times of India
India News: An agreement has been reached with China on disengagement on the north and south banks of Pangong Tso in east Ladakh, with identification of strategic
toi.in
Get ready to witness a shooting war in April. This time will not be like April 2020.
Capturing Kailash range was bold counter move however, let's not make it the only ace up our sleeve. We should have multiple points for counter incursions and other such methods to bring China to negotiation table.
Most analysts are missing woods for the trees, some are busy spinning the narrative to prove their earlier theories and show China victorious.
No country would move its mechanized divisions with 50k troops, deploy for almost a year, face huge losses in trade and risk forming alliance among adversaries for just shifting LAC from F8 to F4.
This is the most intriguing part - motive.
Motive behind what China did so far and also, what did they gain from it.
In my personal opinion, they didn't gain anything and Galwan was a disaster for them.
As long as the motive is not understood, we risk another attack somewhere else.
This disengagement can be a diversion for all I care.
I see no reason for China to back off now after mobilising tanks. They are not morons. If there is a "big picture" here somewhere, I honestly don't see it yet.
There really is no big picture. They came to bully us, we stood our ground, they were forced to back off.
Their basic plan was to bully all their neighbours save for Russia as part of a greater strategic plan, it's worked everywhere else but our border. Had we not stood our ground, they would have taken over all of the territory that was considered no man's land, and perhaps even repeated it elsewhere.
Instead all that happened was two retards colliding into each other. The Chinese were stupid for not anticipating India's reaction to their antics.
So now what, we have shown them our resolve, they went back and they have learnt their lesson and will not try to repeat this episode?
I don't trust the Chinese, they always come back and I believe they will in future as well. Let's hope this is not some diversion and if it is, let's hope we don't fall for it. Also, stationing 50K troops and tanks just for "bullying" doesn't sound very logical to me. They had planned something, may be in line with what you said - they would have grabbed the entire unmanned area. It has always been about land with the Chinese, and if that is/was the case, they will try again when it suits them.
Or like Ravi Rikhye pointed out years ago, this was the trial balloon. They came in strength( as opposed to full strength)to probe our defences, withdraw, draw the right conclusions, go back to the drawing board , prepare & come down in full strength some 2-4 years from now to prosecute their campaign- whatever that might be from taking on all of Ladakh to select areas like cutting off our access to Siachen, DBO, etc..
They will most definitely try again. And if they fail, they will do it again.
What they learnt this time was India's red lines. So the next time they will come better prepared, never mind the fact that they were well prepared this time, so you can say even better prepared. They inadvertently crossed India's red lines without meaning to. And their stationing of troops and tanks was a reaction to India's buildup, so the situation had escalated to beyond their calculations. I suppose they even tried to force India to back down with their buildup but failed. So I suppose this was their version of Op Parakram.
The winter may also have taught them some important things.