India-China military disengagement on, but with utmost caution

Pangong Tso continues to be a vexed issue between the two sides

An Army convoy passing through Leh | Sanjay Ahlawat An Army convoy passing through Leh | Sanjay Ahlawat / Leh, Ladakh

Notwithstanding the baby steps of military disengagement on the friction points, situation on the border with China continues to be tense.

According to official sources, after Galwan and Hot Spring, Chinese and Indian troops will be completely disengaged from Gogra point by Friday. It means both sides will be disengaged from three flashpoints. However, Pangong Tso continues to be the vexed issue between the two sides.

"Both sides have done complete disengagement at Patrol Point 15, which means Hot Springs. Pullback by Chinese side was already done on Patrol Point 14 in Galwan Valley. And pullback is underway at Patrol Point (A) in Gogra. It is expected to be completed by tomorrow," said an officer.

In finger 4 area in Pangong Tso, there is some thinning down of troops and vehicles by the Chinese side, but the pullback is yet to be done.

However, the Indian military establishment is cautious about the movement of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Chinese have amassed massive stockpiles of weapon and equipment along with nearly 30,000 troops in the in-depth areas of eastern Ladaksh. 

"Despite the pullback from in-depth areas, Indian Army is on high alert. It is difficult to trust Chinese military's intention, especially in the wake of what happened in Galwan," said a defence source.

However, Indian side has also done the mirror-deployment close to the border.

In all friction points, both sides have agreed to create a buffer zone of nearly three kilometers till the de-escalation process is on. "Buffer zone is created only to prevent Galwan type incident. Buffer zone is only for the next few weeks till the complete pullback from in-depth areas. Buffer areas will be out of bound for both sides and no foot patrol is allowed in the area," explained an officer.

But, the most complex issue is Pangong Tso, where Chinese have built permanent structures along with mettle roads upto the areas between finger 4 and 8, including a helipad and two observation posts on the ridge of Finger 4.

Serene Pangong Tso, which means lake in local Tibetan language, is divided into eight fingers. Slopes of the barren mountains jut forward into the lake are referred to as fingers in military parlance.

Traditionally, India claims that its territory goes until the easternmost finger (number 8). But, gradually, both sides have agreed to an understanding that while India will control from fingers 1 to 4, Chinese military will consider 5-8. But both sides only used to patrol in these areas. While India has its last overlooking observation post close to finger 3, China has it on finger 8.

"Between Finger-4 and Finger 8, Chinese have encroached into entire eight kilometre-long stretch on Pangong Tso. They have encroached all dominating heights in the region," an officer said. Besides Pangong Tso, pullback from Depsang should also be done by the Chinese side.

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry on Thursday stated that China and India will hold a new round of commander-level dialogue and border issue consultation and coordination mechanism meetings. "The overall border situation is stable and the border tensions have eased," said the Chinese foreign ministry. Sources said that a meeting of India-China Woking Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) is expected to be held on Friday. And Corps Commanders meeting might take place in the next week.