#Galwan Archives - The Gulf Indians

India now in control of South Pangong after Chinese build-up

The Gulf Indians — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:29:09 +0000

Photo for representational purpose only

The Indian Army, now controlling multiple key ridges on the south bank of the Pangong Lake, has effective military control of the entire disputed area in the region, according to reports.
The army is positioned in a manner that ensures that the entire disputed area, right till India’s perception of the Line of Actual Control in the region, can be defended. The army’s occupation of these key heights is an entirely defensive move, done to counter a Chinese build-up with tanks and troops on their side of the LAC in the area.

This was done on the night of August 29 and August 30 in contravention of the confidence building measures that both sides have worked out during the recent military talks in Eastern Ladakh, where major military movements are not supposed to be carried out at night.

In dominating the heights, soldiers of the Indian Army also over-see the crucial Spanggur Gap, a key passage in the area through which troop movement can take place. China has also built a tarred road on the south bank of the neighbouring Spanggur Lake, through which it can bring in heavy vehicles including tanks and armoured personnel carriers. By dominating the heights in this area, the Indian Army can sight the movement of these vehicles.
There has been no breakthrough in Brigadier-level talks in the regions to diffuse the situation. A second round of talks is presently on in the Chushul area.

The south-bank of the Pangong Lake saw fierce clashes between the Indian and Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the 1962 war. The Indian build-up in the area is meant to defend Indian territory in the key Chushul Valley in the region.

Since early May, Chinese forces have made incursions in six areas along the disputed Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. In clashes in Galwan, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action though a buffer zone between the forces has since been created.

In other areas, including the North bank of the Pangong Lake, there has been no substantial military disengagement despite several rounds of military and diplomatic talks.
By attempting to open up a new front on the South Bank of the Pangong Lake, in an area which has traditionally been heavily defended by the Indian Army, Chinese forces are intent to unilaterally change the status of the Line of Actual Control, a worrying signal that New Delhi feels it has to proactively respond to, reports said.

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PLA withdraws troops from Galwan valley

The Gulf Indians — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 11:30:40 +0000

For representational purpose
Our Correspondent

China has withdrawn troops by 2 km in contested parts of Ladakh near the tense Galwan river valley including Hot Springs, reports said on July 7. Chinese withdrawal of troops at Hot Springs, or Patrol Point 15, will be completed on July 7 and in Gogra (Patrol Point 17A) by July 8, reports said. As part of the disengagement on both sides after the deadly June 15 clash in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the line of duty, China started withdrawing troops and dismantling structures from July 6 from three points in Ladakh, including Galwan.

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Modi lauds armed forces for dedication, valour

The Gulf Indians — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 14:02:31 +0000

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Indian Armed forces in Ladakh, lauded their dedication with which they are protecting the country. Mr. Modi said their willpower is as firm as the mountains where they are posted. The Prime Minister also paid tributes to the soldiers martyred in the Galwan Valley clash.
The Prime Minister said, “Friends, your dedication to the protection of motherland is matchless. The conditions in which you are protecting and serving India, nobody in the world can compete with that. The bravery that you and your compatriots showed, a message has gone to the world about India’s strength. Your courage is higher than the heights where you are posted today.”
“Your willpower is as firm as the mountains which we can see. Today, I can feel and see with my eyes that when the duty of protection of India is in your hands, the whole country believes in you and they feel relaxed. This inspires the citizens to work day and night for the country,” he said
“The courage which you all and your peers showed has sent across the message across the world about India’s strength. I can see women, soldiers, too. This inspires us more,” the Prime Minister said.
Paying his tributes to the soldiers who were martyred in the Galwan valley clash, Mr. Modi said, “The bravery of 14 Corps will be talked about everywhere. Tales of your bravery and valour are echoing in every house in the country. Bharat Mata’s enemies have seen your fire and fury.”
“Those who are weak can never initiate peace, bravery is a pre-requisite for peace. Whether World Wars or peace, whenever the need arises, the world has seen the victory of our braves and their efforts towards peace. We have worked for the betterment of humanity,” he said.
Mr. Modi said, “We are the same people who pray to the flute playing Lord Krishna but we are also the same people who idolise and follow the same Lord Krishna who carries the ‘Sudarshana Chakra'”
The Prime Minister contrasted vistaarvaad (Expansionism) with vikasvaad (Developmental growth), in an unmentioned but direct assessment of China, and slammed powers that tried to use expansionism.
Mr. Modi, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief M.M. Naravane, reached Leh around 9.30 am, sources said. He visited one of the forward locations in Nimu where he interacted with personnel of the Army, Air Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The Prime Minister was also briefed by senior Army officers. Located at 11,000 feet, Nimu is among the toughest terrains, on the banks of river Indus and surrounded by the Zanskar range.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has called a meet of core ministers back in Delhi. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and other PMO officials will attend the meeting, sources said.
The Prime Minister’s visit, which comes as an almost unforeseeable development, assumes massive significance on account of India being engaged in multifaceted tensions with China, leading the world in this regard as anti-China sentiment grows.

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