India is yet to figure out the motive and design behind Chinese troops intruding into ladakh, which resulted in a standoff at a time when high profile leaders of both countries were to exchange visits and there was complete cordiality in relations.
In order to avoid such an incident in future, India will raise the issue of the recent incursion with Premier li Kequiang, during his visit to New Delhi later this month. A hotline between the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of two countries is also likely to be proposed, on lines of a similar mechanism working successfully.
The proposal for hotlines was discussed at the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a day ago, according to sources.
The two countries had discussed proposals to set up hotlines between India’s northern and eastern Army commanders, with their Chinese counterparts, but not much progress was made. At present, three hotlines exist between the armies of the two countries at Spanggur Gap (ladakh), Nathula (Sikkim) and Bumla (Arunachal Pradesh) at the Brigadier level.
The upgrade of the hotline to DGMO, headed by a lt General, will help in sorting out issues like the recent standoff in ladakh and avoid confrontation when patrols of the two armies cross each other in their respective perceived areas along the line of Actual Control (lAC).
As for raising the incursion issue with the Chinese Premier, sources said India would, by then, have had the benefit of consultations between External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Chinese leaders, in Beijing.
Sources remained puzzled about the objective of the Chinese troops’ face-off in Depsang Valley. They denied any quid pro quo or deal to resolve the impasse, emphasizing that India stood its ground and made it clear to China that status quo — as of April 15 — must be restored and Chinese troops withdraw unconditionally.
Sources also denied reports that an Army bunker was removed in Chumar area as a precondition and maintained that just a tin shed in the area was dismantled, adding, “Our bunkers are elsewhere.”
Asked why India did not cut off supplies for intruding troops who had set up five tents, sources said the plan was to maintain status quo and not to trap them (troops). One added, “It will have to be decided whether you need to add to whatever we have (on the line of Actual Control) and strengthen it.”
Finding the Chinese behaviour strange when accosted by India after the incursion, sources maintained it was a ‘local’ issue.
“We will sit with them (to discuss the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement proposed by China),” said a source, emphasising that India would like to discuss its value. They, however, added it was a way of Chinese conveying to India that just because a draft agreement was given, India cannot expect everything will be hunky dory.