So very brief update on the situation in Ladakh. The flag meeting between two brigade commanders continued for the second day today with no breakthrough yet since both sides stuck to their respective stands. No clarity if the talks would resume at Finger 4 area tomorrow.
For reference: this thread on Tuesday: threadreaderapp.com/thread/1262753…
There is no change in the quantum of deployment of troops on either side. As they used to say in old press releases ‘ the situation is tense but under control.’
Troops continue to be face-to-face at both sites—Finger 4 and the Galwan valley—and keeping a close watch on each other.
Meanwhile, the two govts are also talking through the existing mechanisms. However, the Chinese MoFA statement accusing Indian troops of trespassing is being seen as one step up in escalatory spiral. That even the Sikkim incident is mentioned in the statement, is a surprise.
Sikkim has been a settled International boundary unlike the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. And yet, PLA is creating constant friction at the Nakul La site in North Sikkim which is seen as a deliberate mischief. Even in Galwan, the road construction is well within India.
And yet, India is willing to engage in diplomacy without conceding any space on the ground. New Delhi has decided to apply the same formula it had adopted during the Dolam (Doklam) crisis in 2017: Resolute on the border and reasonable in diplomacy.
Next few days will be important to watch as New Delhi and Beijing try and deescalate the latest crisis. One more similarity between Dolam and now: All the belligerence is emanating from Beijing. New Delhi is so far treating this as the periodical mini-crisis that erupts on LAC
