Chinese Army reportedly agrees to withdraw from LAC at Ladakh

New Delhi: – The possibility of ongoing dispute over the last seven months at the LAC, Ladakh seems to be diffusing. A consensus was reached, between the two countries regarding military withdrawal, during the eighth round of talks over the subject. As per Indian media, the military officials from both the countries agreed upon this withdrawal in three stages. But the Chinese mouthpiece, Global Times has refuted these claims made by the Indian media. Whereas, the former officers from the Indian military are warning the government that China cannot be trusted under any circumstances.

China posed a challenge before India with intrusion in the region, south of the Pangong Tso lake. Thereafter, 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in the Galwan Valley conflict. The number of Chinese soldiers killed during the conflict was much more than this. Following this, the infuriated Indian Army shocked China with an equivalent deployment. The agility and the activity shown by the Indian Air Force also came as a shock to China. Amid this, reports of Chinese soldiers becoming ill in the biting Ladakh cold had also emerged. All the leading countries of the world, along with the United States and France indicated support for India. The Indian media claim that this is the reason for China to agree upon a military withdrawal from the LAC in Ladakh.

As per the media, China presented the proposal for military withdrawal to India, during the eighth round of discussions over the Ladakh dispute. Some news agencies reported that even India has consented to the proposal. This military withdrawal will be in three stages. In the first stage, the armed vehicles and the long-range artillery guns will retreat. In the second phase, 30% soldiers will be withdrawn every day. In the third phase, China will retreat until Finger 8 point and Indian military will retreat to Major Dhan Singh Thapa post. The meeting was concluded upon the point that both the armies would proceed further with the withdrawal after their counterparts have confirmed completion of the earlier stage. But despite this, former officers of the Indian military and political analysts are advising caution to India.

The former military officials and analysts believe that although China is showing the generosity of military withdrawal after a standoff for seven months, India should not trust China at all. China is capable of backstabbing India at any point during the process. Therefore, India should not hurry with military withdrawal. China is feeling the need for withdrawal, as the Chinese soldiers cannot cope up with the freezing cold in Ladakh. But the former military officials are advising that India should not give any concessions to China, but let the soldiers freeze in Ladakh’s cold. The former military officials also pointed out that currently, China is a bigger beneficiary of the military withdrawal; considering that Chinese position is vulnerable and India is dominating the LAC in Ladakh region.

Whereas, some people claim that China, the intruder, agreeing to retreat to the Finger 8 point, as per the Indian demand, is a major victory for India. But Global Times said that the reports in the Indian media are baseless and there has been no such agreement between India and China. Moreover, no detailed process has been worked out although there is an agreement on the military withdrawal. Reports by the Indian news agencies note that the process of military withdrawal could take more than four to five months. Therefore, there are no signs of a reduction in the tension reigning between India and China. Reporters are pointing out that there is only a possibility of this nature to continue hereafter. The former military officials are emphasising that the Indian military will be keeping a close watch on the Chinese movements, as it is aware that China cannot be trusted under any circumstances. While these discussions regarding military withdrawal are being held, Indian Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, visited the Chinese border in Uttarakhand to review the security status. India is delivering an appropriate message through this.