Amid buildup, next India-China meet on LAC hotspot Depsang

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7

With thousands of fully armed troops backed by artillery guns, tanks and missile launchers facing each other at Depsang plains, India and China are scheduled to have a meeting to reduce tension in the area.

Besides the war-waging equipment, troops of either side are denying patrolling rights to each other in the “grey zone” areas, where the perception of the LAC varies by several kilometres.

A dedicated Major General-level meeting is planned for the Depsang sector, sources confirmed to The Tribune. A firm date for the meeting is still being worked out and is likely be held at the designated post east of the Indian base at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO).

The meeting is the outcome of the Lt General-level meetings, five of which have been conducted since June 6. The meeting will seek to work out a system of pulling back troops and de-escalating from the 900-square km plains at an altitude of 16,000 feet. The Indian Army holds a majority of the Depsang plains while the People’s Liberation Army holds the eastern edge of the plains.

The area saw two major standoffs in 2013 and 2014. 

PLA admits casualties?

Has China indirectly admitted to casualties in the Galwan valley clash on June 15? A report on China Military website said recently, “A netizen surnamed Zhou was arrested by the police’’ for spreading rumours online, saying “the poor quality of military vehicles caused the death of Chinese soldiers during the border clash”. The website is sponsored by the PLA.

PLA concentrating near DBO airfield

• Depsang plains at 16,000 ft have seen two major standoffs in 2013 and 2014, besides dozens of faceoffs annually when troops come close while patrolling.
• India controls major portion of 900-sq km plains. This does not give it an advantage, but provides it vantage points to watch over gaps in mountains which PLA can use for tank-based thrust.
• Each side has deployed 12,000 troops in the area.
• Chinese troops are concentrating on “Bottleneck”, 25 km from strategic airfield at DBO.