Talks on between India and China on Ladakh standoff

New Delhi, June 22, (HS) A day after the Indian government gave green signal to Indian forces for using fire arms against Chinese troops in case of any aggression from People’s Liberation Army (PLA) across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), corps commanders of the two forces met at Moldo on Monday to resolve the border issue and ease tension in Eastern Ladakh region.

In a second such meeting between 14 Corps commander, Lieutenant General Harinder Singh and South Xinjiang Military District chief, Major General Liu Lin, the two commanders are trying to resolve the border face-off to maintain peace in the region.

Earlier, similar talks were held at the Chushul-Moldo border personnel meeting (BPM) point in eastern Ladakh on June 6. The volatile ground situation in Ladakh and Pangong Tso is likely to be another flashpoint after Galwan Valley patrolling point 14 where a brawl took place between Indian patrolling troops and Chinese PLA when it tried to infiltrate into the Indian territory.

AS the meeting is still on, sources said that it looks unlikely that any disengagement would take place from either side as the situation has become vulnerable. The reason behind this is prolonged camping and a heavy presence of Chinese troops near Pangong Tso Lake at a point which has been under Indian control. Besides, the Chinese are continuously trying to intrude into the Indian land since a few months and the June 15 combat between the two forces was a result of it.

Moreover, the Chinese have built up a strong hold by deploying its posts and army between finger 4 to finger 8 that were the grey zones.

After a high level meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave a green signal to use fire arms against Chinese troops as PLA has been continuously trying to capture Indian side posts at the LAC, ferocious build up at the Line of Actual Control has started, backed by artillery and tanks in the depth areas.

Indian Army has also enhanced deployment at Hot Springs, Demchok, Koyul, Fukche, Depsang, Murgo, and Galwan. Although no changes have been observed post June 15, but the situation is tense on the LAC, said an official.