After the vicious attack on Indian troops in Galwan, we moved our troops as per the requirement at that time. Some troops from the Jammu region, well-entrenched in counter-terrorism operations, had to be redeployed to the LAC. This may have impacted the overall intelligence grid to some extent.
Eastern Ladakh thereafter saw significant movement, skirmishes, exercises, and troop training. Both India and China tried to build a stable 24/7 infrastructure and debated the border or the alignment of the LAC.
Is it time for Indian troops to return to the status quo, or should we wait a little longer? Isn’t it time to establish the alignment of the LAC, at least in Eastern Ladakh, definitively?
China wants to de-escalate tensions with India because it is focused on taking over Taiwan. China does not want India to benefit from the West while its economy is weakening. This is the right time for us to raise the stakes and demand a permanent demarcation of the LAC in Eastern Ladakh, along with a signed map from China. Joint patrolling, at best, can only be a temporary arrangement.
How do we ensure that what happened in Galwan never happens again? Obviously, we can’t constantly redeploy troops meant for counter-terrorism operations. Nor can we frequently change the conventional operational role of major formations. Therefore, we must ensure that China not only disengages from Eastern Ladakh but also acknowledges clear limits of ingress in black and white.
During winter, Eastern Ladakh remains calm as nature blocks all possible routes of ingress. It appears China will display its strength towards the Indo-Pacific (Taiwan) this winter. As the summer of 2025 approaches, we must be well-guarded and not caught off guard in Eastern Ladakh. Additionally, we must clearly and unambiguously tell China to stay away from Mount Kailash.
