While the exact date of the next Corps Commanders level talks in Ladakh is awaited, Indian formations are on highest alert all along Eastern Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh frontiers considering a possibility of Chinese attempt (s) to occupy unheld areas
For the past 3-4 days, there is absolute calm on the LAC according to multiple sources. This is seen as unusual given the experience of the past four months in Ladakh. The PLA may attempt a QPQ (quid pro quo) to gain leverage in upcoming talks, feel ground commanders
In any case, no one is pinning too much hope for any major breakthrough in the upcoming talks. The Indian military is prepared to stay through the harsh winter in Ladakh and indeed all along the LAC. Ops logistics branch in the Army must currently be the most harried organisation
It has to cater to the not only the current needs of the additional troops that have been inducted into Ladakh but also make sure that there are enough stocks for them through the winters when all roads into Ladakh will be closed after mid-November until at least late March
There is of course a month plus window for China to withdraw its forces to permanent peace time locations--India's pre-condition for deescalation--if the PLA doesn't want its troops to experience the difficulties of super high altitude deployment for the first time in winter.
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Why are ill-informed people going gaga about Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson’s statement about disengagement from four areas in Eastern Ladakh? There has been no disengagement after September 2022. The last disengagement was exactly two years ago at Gogra-Hot Springs.
Before Gogra-Hot Springs disengagement, three other points— at PP-14, PP-17A and both banks of the Pangong Tso—had witnessed disengagement starting February 2021. The disputes at Depsang and Demchok—admittedly legacy issues—are yet to be resolved.
In the fact the Indian statement on Thursday said, in parts: statement said ‘both sides agreed to work with urgency and redouble their efforts to realize complete disengagement in the remaining areas.’
The Senate foreign relations committee and House foreign affairs committee in US have signed off on the proposal to sell the MQ 9 B predator drones to India. This will now get converted into a Congressional notification within a month according to the standard procedure
The Pentagon will then issue a letter of acceptance to the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD). The price negotiations will then begin between the Company (General Atomics) and the MoD for purchase of 31 predators meant for the 3 armed forces. So by March the deal should be sealed
Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat is the Senate Foreign Relations committee chairman&Senator James E Risch, a Republican is the Ranking Member, while Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is Republican Rep. Michael MacCaul and Ranking Member is Democrat Rep. Gregory Meeks
Interesting inputs coming from Ladakh. The top brass of Army's Northern Command is likely to congregate in Leh on Thursday, the 3rd anniversary of the Galwan clash. The Northern Army Commander apart, his four Corps Commanders (1, 14, 15 and 16 Corps) will apparently be there
The Command's senior Staff will also be in attendance, one hears. The idea is to send twin messages: One to own troops that the leadership is on the ball and continues to be vigilant and two, tell the Chinese that Indian military has not forgotten the Chinese perfidy in Galwan
To say Galwan was an inflection point in India-China relations will be an understatement but this reported move by Northern Command (agenda of the meeting is not known) will help remind the Chinese that India remembers its brave soldiers unlike what happens in their country
This upcoming visit of the Bhutan King from Monday comes just over six months after his last trip. He was in New Delhi on 14 September 2022. The upcoming visit becomes important in view of recent developments on Bhutan-China boundary issue. What are those? mea.gov.in/press-releases…
China and Bhutan held the 11th round of the Expert Groups Meeting in January, declaring ‘positive consensus’ in the boundary talks in Kunming.
The talks promised a swift implementation of an agreement that both sides had signed in 2021, a “three-step road map” to resolve their dispute. @StratNewsGlobal had reported extensively on what transpired in that meeting stratnewsglobal.com/neighbours/bhu…
Our annual marquee event, the India Defence Conclave is finally here. The entire event will be live-streamed on YouTube. Link for inaugural session. Starts at 1400 hrs IST
On Afghanistan NSA Doval made the following points:
India has historical and civilisational relations with Afghanistan; India has always stood by the people of Afghanistan. This will continue to guide India’s approach.
India has focused on infrastructure, connectivity and humanitarian assistance over the decades. After August 2021, India has already provided 17000 MT of Wheat out of a total commitment of 50000 MT, 500000 doses of Covaxin, and 13 tons of essential life saving medicines: Doval
The NSA highlighted need for representation of all sections of Afghan society including women and minorities so that the collective energies of the largest possible proportion of the Afghan population feel motivated to contribute to nation building