As India-China stalemate continues, MARCOS go to Pangong Tso
New
Delhi,
Nov
29:
The
Marine
Commandos
have
been
deployed
the
Pangong
Tso
lake
area
amidst
the
standoff
with
China.
The
deployment
adds
to
India's
strength
at
the
conflict
zone,
where
the
Indian
Air
Force's
Garud
and
Army's
Para
Special
Forces
have
been
deployed
since
day
one.
The
idea
behind
the
deployment
of
the
MARCOS
is
to
enhance
the
integrations
of
the
three
services
and
also
provide
the
naval
commanders
exposure
to
extreme
cold
weather
conditions.
The
Navy
commandos
will
soon
get
boats
for
operations
in
the
lake
along
with
the
existing
infrastructure
for
operations.
Meanwhile
the
stalemate
between
India
and
China
continues
as
both
countries
are
yet
to
agree
on
the
modalities
for
the
proposed
troop
disengagement
along
the
Line
of
Actual
Control
in
eastern
Ladakh.
The talks between the military commanders have been stalled and there is no clarity as yet on the pullback. China is yet to get back on the dates for the next round of talks, sources tell OneIndia.
Fake: Video of Chinese tourists at Pangong Lake is not from indian territory
New
Delhi
has
stressed
upon
complete
disengagement
of
troops
as
the
objective
for
the
talks
with
China.
India
also
wants
complete
restoration
of
peace
and
tranquility
along
the
LAC,
Ministry
of
External
Affairs,
spokesperson,
Anurag
Srivastava
said.
Srivastava
described
the
latest
round
of
talks
between
the
military
commanders
of
India
and
China
as
candid,
in-depth
and
constructive.
Exchanged
views
on
disengagement
at
all
friction
points
along
the
Line
of
Actual
Control
in
the
western
sector
of
the
India-China
border
areas,
Srivastava
also
said.
Even as the military commanders were discussing a disengagement plan, reports of the Chinese fortifying their positions began to trickle in. The plan of disengagement could not be implemented as New Delhi rejected China's proposal to create a moratorium on patrolling between Finger 3 and Finger 8 on the northern bank of the Pangong Tso.
While
talks
between
the
two
military
commanders
is
expected
to
take
soon,
there
appears
to
be
no
change
in
China's
position
at
the
border.
The
manner
in
which
the
Chinese
PLA
is
sending
in
reinforcements,
it
does
not
appear
that
the
standoff
is
going
to
die
down
anytime
soon.
Officials
tell
OneIndia
that
China
continues
to
build
up
its
troops
and
is
adding
infrastructure
at
the
border
to
keep
up
the
pressure
with
India
even
as
the
two
sides
continue
dialogue
on
disengagement
and
de-escalation.
Further the Indian side has noticed that the Chinese PLA is undertaking road construction for faster deployment on the LAC. This is being done to focus on the DBO sector as well as the Depsang Bulge area.
Further there are containers, each accommodating six PLA soldiers. Apart from this new hospital facilities have come up in the depth areas. This has been done to cater to those soldiers who are suffering altitude sickness.
India is well aware that it needs to be prepared for a long haul. However it is also important that the two sides keep talking so that there is no accident at the border, which could lead to further escalation.
The Indian Army on the other hand worked at a record speed to set up the heated shelters, arctic tents and bunkers. It also acquired specialised winter clothing, gear and other essential supplies for the over 50,000 troops deployed at the friction points along the Line of Actual Control.
Officials say that this was crucial as the temperatures have already dipped to minus 20 degree Celsius. The official said that the Indian Army has been prepping for this situation for long.
This is going to be a test of endurance and the situation along the LAC remains tense, but under control. The official cited above said that the Indian Army is ready for the long winter ahead. It would be a test of endurance, the source said while adding that India has the advantage as it has been sitting on the glaciated heights of the Saltoro ridge since 1984.