Be on guard: LAC disengagement should be treated with caution

In some signs of easing of tensions along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, India and China have agreed to begin disengaging their troops from flashpoint sites. The decision came after India’s national security adviser Ajit Doval and China’s state councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi held a two-hour-long conversation to ease tensions. As per the understanding, buffer zones are being created at flashpoint sites and Chinese troops have begun pulling back from PP-14 in Galwan Valley — the site of the June 15 clashes — with PLA soldiers withdrawing by about 1.5 km to their side of the LAC. Similar arrangements are underway in the Gogra Hot Springs area and Chinese soldiers have also reportedly begun withdrawing towards Finger-5 from Finger-4 on the north bank of Pangong Tso.

But this is just Phase-I of the de-escalation plan. India should not let its guard down and verify each and every step of the process. There is no guarantee that the Chinese will not spring another surprise and intrude again into Indian territory in the future. In fact, after the latest incidents along the LAC, India must remain vigilant and prepare for any Chinese manoeuvres at the border.

For, it is clear that China wants to remind India of the costs of siding with the US against Beijing. And given the aggressive approach of the current Chinese dispensation, Beijing clearly won’t shy away from starting a confrontation to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, India must beef up its military positions along the LAC and be prepared for a long haul. The Chinese could well be buying time to mount a bigger operation later.

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