thestringshredder
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NEW DELHI: Even though the current standoff with the Chinese troops in Ladakh may eventually blow over, the signal is clear that India's decision to strengthen infrastructure and deployment near the China-India border though delayed has irked Beijing. By taking the unprecedented step of pitching Army tents several km inside of what India perceives as its side of Line of Actual Control (LAC), China appears to have underlined its unhappiness with the heightened Indian activity "far too close" to the border, be it the troop movement, erection of new border outposts (BOPs), re-operationalization of airstrips such as Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), and laying of border roads for better connectivity.
In fact, the Chinese side made it a point to flag the "increased Indian activity in border areas over the past several months" during the two flag meetings held between the Indian and Chinese local commanders to resolve the latest incursion by PLA troops in the Depsang area. Sources in the security establishment said though the Chinese drew attention to the new Indian fortifications and infrastructure that have come up close to the Sino-Indian border, they stopped short of overtly demanding dismantling of the same as a pre-condition for retreat of their troops from Raki Nala.
Sources said the latest Chinese transgression, which is unusual as the troops this time have erected a tented post and stayed put there since April 15, may have been consciously timed just ahead of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to India. "The Chinese have been flagging the border issue, either subtly or overtly, through statements by its leaders or even speeches at multilateral forums, for over a year now...these were hints that the border irritants could no longer be brushed aside as "a case of differing perceptions of the LAC" and need to be addressed," a senior intelligence official pointed out, adding that the latest incursion in Depsang is part of Beijing's strategy to forcefully make the same point ahead of Li's visit.
China is also said to be pointed out that the Indian infrastructure has come up much closer to the border, unlike the extensive construction activity it had undertaken on its side. Incidentally, India's decision to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity near the border followed much after China had built a vast network of border roads and tunnels on its side.
Security analysts are of the opinion that new Chinese political leadership may be keen to dispel the notion of its being more reform-oriented and not prone to tough positions on foreign policy issues. Analysts say the latest faceoff in Ladakh may also be aimed as a morale-booster for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers.
Link - China sore with Indian bid to build infrastructure along LAC - The Times of India
In fact, the Chinese side made it a point to flag the "increased Indian activity in border areas over the past several months" during the two flag meetings held between the Indian and Chinese local commanders to resolve the latest incursion by PLA troops in the Depsang area. Sources in the security establishment said though the Chinese drew attention to the new Indian fortifications and infrastructure that have come up close to the Sino-Indian border, they stopped short of overtly demanding dismantling of the same as a pre-condition for retreat of their troops from Raki Nala.
Sources said the latest Chinese transgression, which is unusual as the troops this time have erected a tented post and stayed put there since April 15, may have been consciously timed just ahead of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to India. "The Chinese have been flagging the border issue, either subtly or overtly, through statements by its leaders or even speeches at multilateral forums, for over a year now...these were hints that the border irritants could no longer be brushed aside as "a case of differing perceptions of the LAC" and need to be addressed," a senior intelligence official pointed out, adding that the latest incursion in Depsang is part of Beijing's strategy to forcefully make the same point ahead of Li's visit.
China is also said to be pointed out that the Indian infrastructure has come up much closer to the border, unlike the extensive construction activity it had undertaken on its side. Incidentally, India's decision to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity near the border followed much after China had built a vast network of border roads and tunnels on its side.
Security analysts are of the opinion that new Chinese political leadership may be keen to dispel the notion of its being more reform-oriented and not prone to tough positions on foreign policy issues. Analysts say the latest faceoff in Ladakh may also be aimed as a morale-booster for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers.
Link - China sore with Indian bid to build infrastructure along LAC - The Times of India
