No end to India China LAC stand-off

Leh/New Delhi: Despite an initial limited pull-back over some distance by Chinese troops at Chumar in eastern Ladakh to “tactical positions,” the stand-off between Indian Army and Chinese PLA troops that started on September 10 continued even after the departure of visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Chinese and Indian troops still deployed in significant numbers in the area.

Read: Indo-China border stand off: 25 PLA men return to Chumar

The standoff in Demchok and Chumar had cast a shadow on Thursday’s summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Indian Army, which had starting scaling down operations from the area following the Chinese withdrawal on Thursday night, put a halt and again started pitching their tents for a possible fresh stand-off, the sources said. They said that nearly 300 Chinese soldiers were spotted across the perceived LAC with many of them stationed in their vehicles while others on foot.

Also Read: India ignores border, while China populates it

The Army is also keeping the PMO and the defence ministry posted on the latest developments. The Modi Government seems determined to send a strong message that India will not be cowed down.