Arun Joshi
In an encouraging news on the Indo-China front, both countries have promised to give momentum to end the stalemate at the border in eastern Ladakh which entered its fifth year in April-May this year. A meeting between the diplomats of the two countries in New Delhi on Wednesday under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs, laid out a prospect of constructive and forward looking roadmap of talks to ease the standoff at Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
Such a diplomatic progress holds a promise of easing tensions on China border in the strategically critical region of Ladakh as it is very important for India to see Chinese troops retreat to its pre-April 2020 position as per the agreement between the two countries to stay well beyond the LAC and not come too close to a situation where clashes become a possibility. But this is not an end itself, there is a need to sustain the momentum to get the end result. At this moment, India can only sense an opportunity to end the tense standoff but end of it. There are miles to go before India can achieve its goal to see Chinese troops back to the position where they were more than four years ago.
In August 2024, the military standoff at the LAC in eastern Ladakh has entered 52nd month. China created a situation on the LAC when it advanced its troops too close to LAC, alarming the Indian side about Beijing’s intentions, particularly when the world was grappling with the pandemic of COVID. The military clash at Galwan Valley in June 2020, in which 20 Indian soldiers, including a Commanding officer were killed, escalated tensions and increased the chances of escalation to the point of more clashes and casualties.
That prompted India to mobilize its troops and war machinery to the Himalayan heights to match the Chinese strength on the border, to preempt repeat of Galwan Valley clashes of June 15/16, 2020. The Indian troops were moved from Rajouri-Poonch belt that borders Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of Jammu region in the belief that the peace in Jammu will stay intact. The gaps were left unplugged
The deadly consequence of this was witnessed in 2024, especially since June 9, 14 soldiers and equal number of civilians have been killed by Pakistani terrorists who infiltrated from across the Line of Control (LoC) and international border in Jammu and Kashmir, creating a deeply disturbing situation.The Indian army is now diverting its troops from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, operating under 9 Corps of the Western Command to Jammu to take on the renewed threat of Pakistan sponsored terrorism. Therefore, it has become very, very critical for the national security both internal and external that standoff situation at China border ends soon.
It is in this context that the 30th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held on 31st July 2024 in New Delhi. Assumes crucial importance. The Indian side was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), Ministry of External Affairs, while the Chinese delegation was led by. Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The MEA said that in furtherance to discussions between the two Foreign Ministers in their recent meetings at Astana and Vientiane,
“ the two sides reviewed the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with a view to finding an early resolution of the outstanding issues. Restoration of peace and tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are an essential basis for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. “
They agreed on the need to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two Governments.”
The discussions at the meeting was “in-depth, constructive and forward-looking. Both sides agreed to maintain the momentum through the established diplomatic and military channels.”
It is important for China too to ease tensions. Although it has made India to commit some more than 60,000 troops to the LAC in eastern Ladakh, but it too has to maintain its troops strength in the region . It is not an easy task for Beijing given the challenges it is facing the world wide . But ultimately, however, it will depend on the military and diplomatic dialogues that can resolve the difficult situation, which is quite embarrassing for Be9jing at the international level. And, India, of course is feeling its impact on its internal and external security. This piece of news sounds encouraging but this needs a roadmap to clear the standoff once and for all.
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