By Major General Jagatbir Singh (Retd.)
So, so you consider you can tell’ are the opening words of an iconic song by the legendary band Pink Floyd. The current agreement relating to the withdrawal of troops from the Northern and Southern banks of the Pangong Tso reached soon after ten months of a tense standoff and nine Corps Commander level talks with the Chinese have led to lots of opinions, such as some warranting a clarification from the Ministry of Defence.
Without skirting about an inconvenient truth the stark reality is that China is far more strong than us in financial and military terms with a greater development price. This asymmetry is only going to widen. If we want to concentrate on the social and financial improvement of our nation we need to have to ‘bide our time’ and resolve the problem of our Northern borders. This problem that has dominated geo politics the globe more than not too long ago is some thing that can not continue to stay in the margins any longer.
While lots of analysts speak of the advantage of expanding the stress in a horizontal manner, by becoming component of the QUAD, forging closer ties with the US and exploiting the maritime domain as a nation the unvarnished reality is that as far as the continental battle space is concerned we fight alone. In addition, especially in the 14 Corps Sector we have to face up to two adversaries simultaneously in some of the most inhospitable terrain in the globe such as the highest battlefield Siachen.
The other problem becoming flagged repeatedly is the practical experience and capacity of our troops in mountain warfare and the Army’s capacity to sustain them at these intense heights exactly where at occasions due to the rarefied atmosphere breathing is also an problem. While we really should no doubt be proud of our capabilities and of the manner in which the Indian soldier carries and executes the burden of responsibilities on his shoulders, never ever complaining and ever prepared for the ultimate sacrifice most persons are unaware of the nuances and manner of holding an IB (International Border), LoC (Line of Control), AGPL (Actual Ground Position Line) and the LAC (Line of Actual Control) all of which exist in this sector. The dynamics of holding every differ and their implications are completely understood by the troops on ground and Commanders accountable.
The final factor on the military commanders’ agenda is to convert the LAC into a LoC. The extent of the former is far longer than the latter and as they say “mountains eat up troops” so you are searching at a far higher commitment in terms of deployments which then need to have sustenance .Further, the inductions and de-inductions due to rotation of troops will need even a higher quantity of infrastructure improvement. Though it is evident that such deployments will stay exactly where criticalities exist. Conservation of forces and their consolidation is an crucial.
While the talks have been rightly been driven by the Army these problems have been believed out in excellent detail. In addition the ground realities are particularly effectively recognized. Finger 4 and Finger 8 , might be component of the lexicon today but our troops have been occupying these regions for decades and Dan Singh Thapa Post and Sirijap have been occupied by Indian and Chinese troops given that 1962.
Both India and China are amongst the top nations in the globe as far as complete national energy is concerned. Both nations are nuclear states and our armies have been engaged in a tense standoff inside direct firing variety of weapons. It is a matter of excellent maturity and restraint on the component of each neighbours not to have let this spiral out of manage and engage in talks to arrive at an understanding.
While the talks might have been prolonged and at occasions it was felt that no breakthrough was in the offing the mere reality that there was no breakdown was an achievement therefore the criticism becoming levelled relating to the withdrawal appears to be unjustified or possibly it is due to a lack of comprehension or politico-military understanding.
The concentrate now will have to be to look in the future. Semantics have small relevance so no matter whether ‘status quo ante’ has been restored or no matter whether ‘ both sides have agreed to fall back to their positions prior to May 2020 and not patrol the area between Fingers 4 & 8’ really should not be noticed in terms of victory or loss and ceding national territory.
While escalation is usually an choice the forces are ready, equipped and educated for disengagement and de- escalation are welcome. This is a positive step that wants to be embraced and we need to have to trust these accountable who had been component of this lengthy negotiations. Disengagement is not like a switch which can be turned off and on to cease an action. Multiple measures constitute its implementation areas to be vacated, timings, quantum of troops to be pulled out from rear regions, structures to be dismantled and removed and measures to stop any incident are amongst some of the problems. It hence wants to be phased and coordinated. There is also a monitoring and verification mechanism instituted which has been worked out.
To move ahead we need to have to erase a trust deficit that exists in the current previous we have stood up in Doklam and now Eastern Ladakh, earlier we had stood up in Nathu La and Somdrung Chu. While what is effectively documented is the function of troops in get in touch with, on the other hand through and soon after every such confrontation there are re deployments that take spot such as moving up of reserves each infantry and mechanised and further firepower and other assets. Re orientation, re- prioritisation, re- calibration, re-balancing does take spot when confronted with such scenarios. This is at occasions from inside current sources and later by further raisings which take considerable time and are at a excellent expense to the exchequer. The spotlight from Pakistan has now shifted. As a nation we need to have to be conscious of these realities.
Kailash Range is a further region that has been in concentrate. No doubt we had been in a position of strength, this occupation did turn the table and the withdrawal is becoming noticed by some as a key concession from our side virtually akin to providing up our trump card. This region is on our side of the LAC, we have not transgressed in any manner but we had been not in occupation of these heights prior to April 2020. While the method in the talks has been to resolve the problem sector smart, there are a huge quantity of opinions relating to surrendering the tactical benefit as we had been dominating the PLA Camp at Sumdo and had the benefit of monitoring any movement from the Spangur Gap towards Chushul. However, although we might be pulling back, the capacity to monitor this region and the positioning of troops in the close to vicinity to thwart any styles by our adversary remains. We will need to have to stay alert and agile. Further, this choice might be one amongst the principle factors which have led to the agreement of withdrawal by China.
The bravery of the Indian soldier is unparalleled. At the identical time their capacity to operate in harsh circumstances each in terms of climate and terrain with unwavering determination although making certain the territorial integrity of the nation is unquestionable. It is this resolve which has backed the Army led talks and the mechanism now made for the Northern and Southern banks of Pangong Tso will have to additional the agenda to go over other friction points along the LAC namely Depsang , Galwan , Gogra and Hot Springs.
This is a historic chance to resolve the contentious problems relating to the legacy problem of our borders with China. The many claim lines are effectively recognized in this Sector till the occupation of Tibet by China the 3 lines had been the Johnson Line (1865), Johnson- Ardagh Line (1897) and the McCartney – MacDonald Line (1899). Thereafter there was the 1959 claim line proposed by Chou En- Lai, discussions on which took spot in 1960, the 1962 line exactly where the Chinese reached and subsequently unilaterally withdrew from or the LAC as current in 1993. There is no doubt that there are differing perceptions relating to the LAC. As General Rakesh Sharma a former Corps Commander stated not too long ago in a speak show that “the LAC as a concept keeps varying in the minds of the Chinese themselves” and General Pannu, also a former Corps Commander stated “it is historically defending an undefined borderline”.
The reality is that today President Xi wields the energy and is paramount Prime Minister Modi has each the authority and majority and the Services have demonstrated that they have the resolve and capability to mobilise and sustain troops at these heights therefore with sturdy leadership current in each nations it is crucial that this problem of unresolved borders be resolved. Existing protocols that have been weakened also need to have to be examined afresh and strengthened. Initially, we can concentrate on Eastern Ladakh and subsequently, an agreement wants to be reached on the McMahon line. The delineation and subsequent demarcation of the LAC will be a fitting tribute to the valour and sacrifice of our brave hearts. We need to have to work towards conflict resolution and this finish state.
A crucial take away as a nation really should be the clarity we have got on China and the self-confidence in dealing with them. There are on the other hand many contentious problems, which need to have to be resolved. Have we as a nation been focussed in the incorrect path?
We will have to also recognize that the dynamics of many regions inside Eastern Ladakh differ. So the template of what was accomplished although occupying Kailash Range in terms of troops and time will differ from Depsang Plains. Similarly the solutions in Galwan are distinctive from these on the Northern bank of Pangong Tso.
What has been clearly demonstrated is that as a nation we are not in search of conflict, although at the identical time we have the capacity and resolve to stand up for our territorial integrity and sovereignty .Avoidance of war is our tactic which has been accomplished by our professionalism, deployments, deterrence and actions of our frontline troops.
The message has also been conveyed that LAC violations will impact diplomatic and financial relations. The aim is peace and tranquillity on our borders. However, to accomplish this we need to have to continue to create our infrastructure, boost our ISR capability for sufficient reactions, and boost the capabilities of our Armed Forces, we can not afford to delay the cycle of modernisation. As hindsight is a lot easier than foresight time alone can inform ‘heaven from hell’ but all indicators point to the former.
(The author is an Indian Army Veteran. Views expressed are individual and do not reflect the official position or policy of TheSpuzz Online.)