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India readies for 'active' China front as winter ends
By News Desk
Published: April 4, 2018
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PHOTO COURTESY: WIRE.IN
Months after the India-China standoff at Doklam, Indian forces are readying for another tense summer.
Sovereignty over Doklam has been disputed between China and Bhutan since it was first declared part of Bhutan in 1961. The tract holds immense strategic value for China, Bhutan and India with Doklam bordering India’s Sikkim. India says it constitutes Bhutanese territory. China posits otherwise.
Unlike the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan where incidence of cross border firing is routine, the situation in Doklam is different. Guards stationed in Doklam push one another as a tactical measure to establish control over the region. There is no exchange of actual fire.
The Indian defence establishment estimates roughly half of the “disputed and sensitive areas,” alongside the 4,057-kilometre-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) are “likely to witness renewed muscle-flexing” by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as winter ends.
Tensions continue between India and China with both countries stationing additional units in forward areas despite a prolonged troop disengagement following the 73-day face-off at Doklam in 2017.
China has installed bunkers, helipads and huts. Roads have also been developed. India terms these installations as PLA ‘transgressions’ into area beyond the LAC.
According to Indian records, transgressions doubled over the year, rising from 273 in 2016 to 426 in 2017. “We are keeping a close watch on Chinese activity. We are also conducting regular and special long-range patrols (LRPs) to 18 mountain passes in the region to physically dominate the LAC,” said a senior Indian Army officer tasked with “maintaining the sanctity” of the 386 kilometre stretch of the LAC.
On the other hand, China claims Indian troops also conduct “aggressive patrolling’’ in all three sectors of the LAC. The activity is reportedly conducted to lend greater credence to territorial claims. “In fact, we patrol much more than the PLA,” an Indian Army officer said.
Chinese troops also claimed Indian soldiers leave behind traces of trash and rocks painted in the hues of the Indian tricolour as messages. “If rival troops come face-to-face, there are laid down steps like banner drills to defuse tension. Issues on the LAC are resolved through established mechanisms like border personnel meetings, flag meetings and hotline calls,” another official added.
This article originally appeared in Times of India.
Read more: China , Doklam Crisis , india
By News Desk
Published: April 4, 2018
SHARE TWEET EMAIL
PHOTO COURTESY: WIRE.IN
Months after the India-China standoff at Doklam, Indian forces are readying for another tense summer.
Sovereignty over Doklam has been disputed between China and Bhutan since it was first declared part of Bhutan in 1961. The tract holds immense strategic value for China, Bhutan and India with Doklam bordering India’s Sikkim. India says it constitutes Bhutanese territory. China posits otherwise.
Unlike the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan where incidence of cross border firing is routine, the situation in Doklam is different. Guards stationed in Doklam push one another as a tactical measure to establish control over the region. There is no exchange of actual fire.
The Indian defence establishment estimates roughly half of the “disputed and sensitive areas,” alongside the 4,057-kilometre-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) are “likely to witness renewed muscle-flexing” by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as winter ends.
Tensions continue between India and China with both countries stationing additional units in forward areas despite a prolonged troop disengagement following the 73-day face-off at Doklam in 2017.
China has installed bunkers, helipads and huts. Roads have also been developed. India terms these installations as PLA ‘transgressions’ into area beyond the LAC.
According to Indian records, transgressions doubled over the year, rising from 273 in 2016 to 426 in 2017. “We are keeping a close watch on Chinese activity. We are also conducting regular and special long-range patrols (LRPs) to 18 mountain passes in the region to physically dominate the LAC,” said a senior Indian Army officer tasked with “maintaining the sanctity” of the 386 kilometre stretch of the LAC.
On the other hand, China claims Indian troops also conduct “aggressive patrolling’’ in all three sectors of the LAC. The activity is reportedly conducted to lend greater credence to territorial claims. “In fact, we patrol much more than the PLA,” an Indian Army officer said.
Chinese troops also claimed Indian soldiers leave behind traces of trash and rocks painted in the hues of the Indian tricolour as messages. “If rival troops come face-to-face, there are laid down steps like banner drills to defuse tension. Issues on the LAC are resolved through established mechanisms like border personnel meetings, flag meetings and hotline calls,” another official added.
This article originally appeared in Times of India.
Read more: China , Doklam Crisis , india