Indo-China face off: status quo in Pangong Tso changes

While Galwan Valley is focused after the June 15 violence, another face-off has been unfolding at Pangong Tso. Beijing troops have been erecting tents and other structures on Indian territory between Finger 4 and Finger 8.The problem peculiar to this place is China’s perception of the LAC is at Finger 4 and Indian perception is at Finger 8.

The mountain spurs are numbered 1 to 8, from west to east. So, there is a distance of 8 km where the entire conflict has been happening. Indian post is between Finger 2 and 3, which is well connected by a road from depth areas. There is a track to 1 km short of Finger 4, but it ends there. After that, it’s only a foot track. The Chinese are at Sirijap, which is 8 km east of Finger 8. They built a road up to Finger 4 in 1999 when Indian troop was limited because of Kargil. No vehicle can cross Finger 4. When Indian troops patrol up to Finger 8, they have to go on foot. The Chinese have the advantage as they can come up to Finger 4 on vehicles.They have been sensitive to Indian presence in this area because they felt they built the road, and they dominated up to Finger 4.

They do not want Indians to come to Finger 8 frequently, so some times they stop Indian troops Indians reciprocate, and stop them before they come to Finger 4. For many years, it was a one-man show and they were dominating. Only in the past 7 or 8 years Indians have started pushing the infrastructure so that Indian presence is also felt.

The frequency of  encounter increased from once or twice a month on a daily basis. This happens every summer as that it is the when infrastructure can be constructed and opposed but this time it is different. The status quo in Pangong Tso is blatantly changed and the change is unilateral. Hence India is now balancing the forces and infrastructure as a preparatory move in case of an escalation. 

Update by Soujashh Singha

For more updates click here