From Bhupen Goswami
Guwahati: Tensions between India and China escalated significantly after Indo-Chinese troops clashed in Yangste area near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Since this incident, while the Indian Army has strengthened its position on the LAC in Arunachal and Sikkim, it is also in a better position militarily in the Northeast. India has strengthened its position on the border with Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. An official at the Indian Army’s Tezpur headquarters said China does not want to reduce tensions along the border with India. This has become clear after the 17th round of talks with China.
In view of this, the Indian Army will also stand on the Line of Control (LAC). This is the third consecutive winter, when the armies of China and India are present face to face. The 3,488-km-long LAC between the two countries is located. More than 100,000 additional Indian troops have been deployed along the LAC in Arunachal and Sikkim. Some soldiers were withdrawn in the winter but have now been redeployed. Because the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues its war exercises in Tibet. According to sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs and The Ministry of Defense, China currently has about two lakh soldiers on the LAC. At the same time, almost the same number of soldiers of the Indian Army and ITBP are also standing there. China has accumulated a huge amount of weapons on the border, so India is also not far behind. India has accumulated many types of tanks, multi-grenade launchers, under barrel launchers, rocket launchers, assault rifles weapons along the LAC. Recently, India has also ordered the purchase of 17 high-resolution cameras to keep a close eye on China. These cameras will be given to ITBP personnel. The ITBP is stationed at an altitude of 9000 to 18,000 feet along the China border. According to sources, the distance between the two sides on the disputed border has been reduced considerably.
There are many places where the Chinese army is stationed just 500 feet away. Given China’s concrete construction, India has also made a significant change in its strategy. An official of the Ministry of External Affairs says that there is no major dispute between India and China at the moment. But we can’t shy away from our preparation. In the wake of the December 9 clash in Arunachal’s Tawang sector, the ITBP has decided to set up additional posts in disputed areas in Arunachal Pradesh. Additional troops will be deployed at the 17,000-feet-high peak of Yangtze. It was here that Chinese soldiers entered and tried to sabotage. Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (retd), former Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), says galwan means that China cannot be treated as a distant threat. This was a clear and present danger sign. The biggest area of concern in Ladakh is still the Depsang Plain which is located north of Galwa
