Military CBMs drawing up restrained protocol along the LAC discussed in WMCC on India-China Border affairs

New Delhi: The last edition of Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs held past week explored a bunch of military CBMs drawing up restrained protocol along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) particularly at flashpoints in Ladakh.

The CBMs include taking steps to reduce the possibility of physical contact between troops from both sides, ET has reliably learnt from highly placed sources. Specific proposals on table was that whenever any such situation rises both sides will maintain restraint to avoid physical contact and jostling. Similarly, other proposals included strictly ‘rifle down’ protocol and considering doing away with the night patrolling as a Confidence Building Measure, ET has further learnt.

However, level of trust continues to be low predicated on Chinese behaviour. In June the Chinese side had set up a structure leading to clash at the Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian military personnel were killed. The incident occurred despite clear understanding and diplomatic parleys following Chinese actions since May.

Surprises are often sprung by PLA as evident during August 29-30 period. There was sudden heavy deployment of PLA troopers on the southern bank of Pangong lake in Ladakh. India pre-empted further Chinese action by taking control of strategic heights in the area. Indian Army took pre-emptive actions to occupy Rezang La, Recehen La, Black Top, Goswami Hill and other strategic heights near Chushul to pre-empt the Chinese army activities underway there.

India has clearly conveyed to China in the recent past that any attempt to breach the perimeter around its forward posts along the LAC will be treated as an act of hostility which will get a professional Army response.

In this environment prospects of disengagement appear challenging but there have been conversations -- since two Foreign Ministers met in Moscow – Army Commanders meet followed by WMCC. A joint statement following the Army commanders meet stated that the two sides agreed to “stop sending more troops to the front line, take practical measures to properly solve problems on the ground, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border area.”

Past few weeks have been less eventful with neither side keen on escalating the situation into a military conflict and negotiators feel some disengagement could be possible if CBMs are adopted in good faith. But the Indian Army will not lower guard as the PLA is known to spring surprises.

Chinese President Xi Jinping in his statement at UNGA claimed that Beijing is not interested either in hot or cold war. Yet on the ground in Ladakh China unilaterally even as harsh winter approaches.

For its part India has been maintaining disengagement is a positive step but de-escalation -- Chinese pull out massive troops from the rear -- is key to peace and tranquillity along LAC.

China has amassed over 50,000 troops and a range of aircraft and missile systems. This forced India to match deployment leading to heavy militarisation of eastern Ladakh.

Further China has complicated the situation by not recognising the Union Territory status of Ladakh. India had gone an extra mile to clarify Its position and stated that it never accepted the so-called unilaterally defined 1959 Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Besides making public statement, India raised the issue at WMCC, according to highly placed sources. China, however, did not indicate shift in public posturing. Yet China appeared keen to lower down tempers at LAC. More meetings are expected this month with the clear goal of disengagement.