Top-level security review of LAC; status quo remains

NEW DELHI: The government has undertaken a top-level security review of the situation along the China border, where tensions have flared up over the past month after PLA troops marched across the Line of Actual Control in the Galwan valley and along the Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh in a breach of border agreements.
A comprehensive review of the boundary situation at the senior-most levels involved the top military leadership, diplomats and the National Security Council Secretariat and the ground situation in Ladakh was discussed, as well as ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis through diplomatic channels.

Sources said the meeting was preceded by a series of consultations within the Defence Ministry and a detailed analysis was presented to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The situation on the border, where Chinese troops have intruded into Indian territory at four separate points, has not changed over the past few days, with both sides maintaining troop levels in what has resulted in a military stalemate.

While there have been efforts not to escalate the matter militarily, sources believe that a Doklam like approach could be maintained to resolve the crisis. In the Doklam crisis on the Sikkim-Bhutan boundary in 2017, India maintained a steady ground presence of troops, while diplomatic talks were undertaken at the top-level to ensure that a tipping point was not reached.

As first reported by ET, Chinese troops have poured into the Galwan valley in Eastern Ladakh over the past few weeks and have laid claim to what has been Indian territory. The incursion seems to have been provoked by border infrastructure being built by India and is not limited to the Galwan area, with Chinese troops also occupying a section of the Finger area, along the Pangong Tso.

China, no doubt, remains a significant threat, but India has to balance its approach and ensure not to be carried away by emotions or propaganda or disinformation, a senior expert said, adding that it is a daunting task but Delhi has to carefully formulate its policy.

ET has learnt that the Chinese envoy to India met top MEA officials last week reportedly to discuss the standoff and way forward. Efforts are ongoing at the official level to defuse tensions and prevent provocative steps.