A breakthrough in the Indo-China standoff following the latter's incursion in Ladakh is likely before External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid travels to Beijing on May 9.
The two sides are expected to arrive at an agreement with New Delhi thinking about agreeing to go slow on construction of bunkers in the disputed area and Beijing reciprocating by pulling back its troops to their original position across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
However, India will not agree to stop modernisation of Daulat Beg Oldi and Nayoma airfields in Ladakh, which according to China poses a strategic threat to Karakoram Highway. China had raised objections to construction of bunkers, roads and airfields in the entire stretch from Karakoram to the eastern edge of Siachen during the two flag meetings held between local commanders last week to resolve the ongoing impasse, sources said here on Saturday.
Daulat Beg Oldi airfield is about 30 km from the face-off site in Depsang Valley and forms part of the Karakoram-Eastern Siachen region. It is strategically important for India too.
While the Government is willing to give and take on the issue of slowing down construction of bunkers and other developmental works in this region, halting the modernisation of the airfields as part of proposed bargain is ruled out, they said. The two sides have increased diplomatic efforts to come to an agreement on these broad lines, officials said adding Beijing is likely to agree and pull back its troops to pre-April 15 position when the incursion took place.
For his part, Defence Minister AK Antony on Saturday briefed the President about the incursion and steps taken to resolve the issue, a day after the NDA met the President to express concern over Chinese incursion and killing of Sarabjit Singh in a Pakistani jail.
Sources said China is also keen to resolve the issue through diplomatic and political channels and withdraw from Depsang Valley as a goodwill gesture before Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit here on May 20. Moreover, the Chinese also realize the fact that it will be difficult to maintain the standoff for long as winter months are very harsh with temperatures dipping to minus 20 degrees.
Daulat Beg Oldi and Nayoma airfields became functional three years ago and transport planes like AN-32 and C-130J can land there. However, the airfields are not fit for transport planes during winter months due to snow on the landing strips and have to be repaired in the summer, they said. These airfields are the lifeline of the troops deployed in eastern Ladakh as the planes provide logistical support in terms of flying troops and supplies for jawans manning the LAC in that region.
As regards strategic importance of Depsang Valley for India, they said our troops are in striking distance of Karakoram Highway as it is about 110 km from the face-off site. Indian troops do carry out patrols across the Depsang Valley up to its perceived claim line which is about 20 km from the face-off location.
However, Chinese troops are now camping in the valley as per their claim line and posing a threat to Indian interests as our troops cannot patrol the area, they said. The Indian troops normally pass through the valley from the face-off point as other routes pass through rugged mountainous terrain with heights touching 20,000 feet. The face-off point is at about 16,300 feet.
