New Delhi: China’s armed forces in the Galwan Valley have encroached 423 meters into Indian territory, an incursion that seems to be well ahead of Beijing’s own 1960 Claim Line in the region.
High definition satellite pictures show that as of June 25, there were 16 Chinese tents and tarpaulins, one large shelter, and at least 14 vehicles in these 423 meters stretch of Indian territory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation yesterday on his monthly radio show, “Mann Ki Baat”, said, without mentioning China, “Those who cast an evil eye on Indian soil in Ladakh have got an appropriate response.
On June 27, Vikram Mistry, India’s Ambassador to Beijing said, “The resolution of this issue is quite straight forward from our perspective. The Chinese side needs to stop creating obstruction and hindrances in the normal patrolling patterns of the Indian troops.”
On June 15, in the worst fighting between Indian and Chinese forces in 53 years, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action here including Colonel Santosh Babu. The fighting is believed to have taken place not just on the Chinese-occupied embankment located at a crucial bend of the Galwan river but also at Patrol Point 14, a spot on the Line of Actual Control which marks the extent of the Indian Army’s traditional patrolling routes in this area. Patrol Point 14 is believed to be along the ridgeline broadly overlooking the bend of the Galwan River. Several soldiers, both Indian and Chinese are believed to have fallen off the ridge to their deaths in the fighting that took place on June 15.
”What has happened in Galwan could well reflect things to come in other areas along the LAC where the Chinese are seeking to impose new interpretations of the LAC,” says Ms. Rao. Reports indicate that China has already made major incursions in the Fingers region of the Pangong Lake in Ladakh and may be attempting to close into the area near the Indian Air Force’s airstrip at Daulat Beg Oldie near the Karakoram Pass to the north.
The Chinese incursion in Galwan and constant construction activity within the Indian territory clearly indicate that China may have no immediate plans to evacuate the area. In fact, satellite images of Galwan clearly indicate a consolidation of Chinese positions in Galwan, both within Indian territory and on their side of the Line of Actual Control. This includes broadening of the valley, establishing at least 16 camps within a span of 9 kilometers, creating culverts over the Galwan river (on their side of the LAC) and positioning hundreds of heavy trucks and earth-moving equipment.
The Indian Army and Air Force have responded to the Chinese build-up not just in Galwan but elsewhere in Ladakh with a large-scale deployment of forces.