As summer approaches, China which had disengaged and had promised de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh is now reinforcing its military positions and rotating troops in that area.
In 2020, after China made a significant incursion along the LAC, India both countries were locked in a stand-off for over a year now.
After it emerged that the soldiers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is facing problems in this high altitude zone, China asked India for a mutual de-escalation as the harsh winter was approaching.
However, now that summer has approached the Chinese are converting temporary structures to support helicopter landings and surface-to-air missile positions into permanent positions.
As per observations made by India at the LAC China continues to maintain a big force and has witnessed plenty of activity in the past couple of days as the PLA can move forces must faster to the LAC due to better road connectivity and associated infrastructures supporting its logistics.
Talks after talks between senior military commanders have failed as the Chinese side did not agree to pull back troops at patrolling posts 15, 17 and 17A in the Hot Springs-Gogra-Kongka La areas.
A statement from India said that both sides agreed to resolve issues. “It was highlighted that completion of disengagement in other areas would pave the way for two sides to consider de-escalation forces and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquillity and enable progress in bilateral relations,” the statement read.
“The two sides agreed on the need to resolve the outstanding issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols,” a statement by the Defence Ministry read.