#LAC standoff

[printscore25]

LAC : Sino India Relationship

Over the past 3 years, the two asian giants are locked in a standoff. The standoff which started with provocative action by PLA led to casualties on both sides. Even after 3 years and 17 rounds of commander level meeting the issue remains unsolved in Debsang Bulge and Demchok.And both sides seem adamant for their part in the negotiations.One point worth discussing is that it's disengagement and moving behind a few kilometres not de-induction.

What is even more interesting is the reason for the entire fiasco by the chinese side. Experts have claimed multiple reasons for the action by the Chinese side.While we keep reading about headlines like it was purely a propaganda coup due to internal problems in china due to covid, some say due to abrogation of Article 370, etc. However, these could have played a part if we look at other aspects for standoff could be India's improved Infrastructure all along the LAC, a growing chinese assertiveness all along the areas of dispute whether be SCS or ECS or spartly islands dispute.Another reason could be to test India's preparedness in case of all out war for Taiwan & India's ability to change status quo of LAC during the taiwan conflict.

Also, at times the newspaper headline flashes with articles "India lost 1000's of sq. km of area."However, if we were to look at the actual ground situation then we could make much more pragmatic analysis of the entire standoff. The standoff resulted in areas of no patrolling which lead to very small pockets of grey areas where the border remains undefined.It is important to note that due to different line of perception, before the standoff both sides had patrolling rights to the current buffer zones created.

However, the bigger points of friction like that of Demchok and Debsang could not be looked through the same prism where line of perception varies vastly.

The chinese side seems to have not gained much strategic advantage with the entire standoff. For them it's a slap on the face as India is neither intimidated nor seems to give in to the pressure tactics. Rather it has led to unprecedented response from the Indian side to deter the PLA.

On the other hand, another interesting aspect is how western countries still have not gotten out of their western centric view assuming India needs their help to tackle the standoff.

Instead the army launched an operation called "Snow Leopard" in response to the unilateral action by china and took chinese by surprise and forced the chinese side for negotiations.

In the last 3 years the Army has inducted state of the art military equipment, has upgraded the existing airfields and the Advanced Landing Ground (ALGs) and built new Helipads, airstrips and improved connectivity with modern infrastructure even in the remotest areas of the Eastern sector.

What lays ahead for both sides is to resolve the remaining disputes and demarcate the boundary as neither has gained much and the entire standoff has resulted in stalemate.

[code-of-conflict]

The Future of AI and Conflict: Scenarios for India-China Relations

Introduction: AI at the Center of India-China Dynamics

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, it is reshaping the geopolitical landscape, particularly in the context of India-China relations. AI offers both unprecedented opportunities for peace and collaboration, as well as heightened risks of conflict. The trajectory of the relationship between these two Asian powers—already marked by border tensions, economic competition, and geopolitical rivalry—could be significantly influenced by their respective advancements in AI. This post explores possible future scenarios where AI could either deepen hostilities or become a cornerstone of peacebuilding between India and China.

Scenario 1: AI as a Tool for Escalating Conflict

In one possible trajectory, AI advancements exacerbate existing tensions between India and China, leading to an arms race in AI-driven military technology. China’s rapid progress in developing AI-enhanced autonomous weaponry, surveillance systems, and cyber capabilities positions it as a formidable military power. If unchecked, this could lead to destabilization in the region, particularly along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC). China’s integration of AI into military-civil fusion policies underscores its strategy to use AI across both civilian and military sectors, raising concerns in India and beyond​.

India, in response, may feel compelled to accelerate its own AI-driven defense strategies, potentially leading to an arms race. Although India has made strides in AI research and development, it lacks the scale and speed of China’s AI initiatives. An intensification of AI-related militarization could further deepen the divide between the two nations, reducing opportunities for diplomacy and increasing the risk of miscalculation. Autonomous weapons systems, in particular, could make conflicts more likely, as AI systems operate at speeds beyond human control, leading to unintended escalations.

Scenario 2: AI and Cybersecurity Tensions

Another potential area of conflict lies in the realm of AI-enhanced cyber warfare. China has already demonstrated its capabilities in offensive cyber operations, which have included espionage and cyberattacks on India’s critical infrastructure​. The most notable incidents include cyberattacks during the 2020 border standoff, which targeted Indian power grids and government systems. AI can significantly enhance the efficiency and scale of such attacks, making critical infrastructure more vulnerable to disruption.

In the absence of effective AI-based defenses, India’s cybersecurity could be a significant point of vulnerability, further fueling distrust between the two nations. AI could also be used for disinformation campaigns and psychological warfare, with the potential to manipulate public opinion and destabilize political systems in both countries. In this scenario, AI becomes a double-edged sword, increasing not only the technological capabilities of both nations but also the likelihood of conflict erupting in cyberspace​.

Scenario 3: AI as a Catalyst for Diplomatic Cooperation

However, AI also holds the potential to be a catalyst for peace if both India and China recognize the mutual benefits of collaboration. AI can be harnessed to improve conflict prevention through early warning systems that monitor border activities and detect escalations before they spiral out of control. By developing shared AI-driven monitoring platforms, both nations could enhance transparency along contested borders like the LAC, reducing the chances of accidental skirmishes​.

Moreover, AI can facilitate dialogue on broader issues like disaster management and environmental protection, areas where both India and China share common interests. Climate change, for instance, poses a significant threat to both countries, and AI-driven solutions can help manage water resources, predict natural disasters, and optimize agricultural productivity. A collaborative framework for AI in these non-military domains could serve as a confidence-building measure, paving the way for deeper cooperation on security issues​.

Scenario 4: AI Governance and the Path to Peace

A more optimistic scenario involves India and China working together to establish international norms and governance frameworks for the ethical use of AI. Both nations are increasingly involved in global AI governance discussions, though their approaches differ. China, while focusing on strategic dominance, is also participating in international forums like the ISO to shape AI standards. India, on the other hand, advocates for responsible and inclusive AI, emphasizing transparency and ethical considerations​.

A shared commitment to creating ethical AI frameworks, particularly in the military sphere, could prevent AI from becoming a destabilizing force. India and China could jointly advocate for global agreements on the regulation of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) and AI-enhanced cyber warfare, reducing the risk of unchecked AI proliferation. By working together on AI governance, both nations could shift the narrative from AI as a tool for conflict to AI as a force for global peace and stability.

Conclusion: The Crossroads of AI and India-China Relations

The future of India-China relations in the AI age is uncertain, with both risks and opportunities on the horizon. While AI could exacerbate existing tensions by fueling an arms race and increasing cyber vulnerabilities, it also offers unprecedented opportunities for conflict prevention and cooperation. The direction that India and China take will depend on their willingness to engage in dialogue, establish trust, and commit to ethical AI governance. As the world stands on the brink of a new era in AI-driven geopolitics, India and China must choose whether AI will divide them further or bring them closer together in pursuit of peace.

[uniqueeval]

The Hindu Morning Digest: August 30, 2024

People Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers and tanks during military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at the India-China border in Ladakh. | Photo Credit: AFP India, China hold 31st border affairs meeting to resolve standoff at LAC India and China had a “frank, constructive and forward-looking exchange of views” on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to “narrow…

[tfgadgets]

The Hindu Morning Digest: August 30, 2024

People Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers and tanks during military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at the India-China border in Ladakh. | Photo Credit: AFP India, China hold 31st border affairs meeting to resolve standoff at LAC India and China had a “frank, constructive and forward-looking exchange of views” on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to “narrow…

[wausaupilot]

Town of Lac du Flambeau asks state, federal government to foot the bill in roads dispute

Tribal officials have said they are open to trying to mediate the dispute provided the tribe doesn’t have to give up more of its rights or sovereignty.

By Danielle Kaeding | Wisconsin Public Radio Town of Lac du Flambeau leaders and lawmakers debated ways to resolve a standoff that has dragged on for more than 18 months over access to roads on the Lac du Flambeau reservation, draining the town’s resources. But what happens next is unclear based on a Friday meeting. In January 2023, the tribe blocked four roads crossing tribal lands after…

[news-venue]

LAC situation 'generally stable', take long-term view: Chinese defence minister to Rajnath

China's defence ministry on Friday said the situation at the border is “generally stable” amid border row with India. The two sides should take a long-term view, China's Defence Minister General Li Shangfu told his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh.

A day after India gave a strong response to China saying that the violation of the border pacts has "eroded" the entire basis of bilateral ties, China's defence ministry on Friday said the situation at the border is “generally stable”. Both sides should put the boundary issue in an “appropriate position” and promote its transition to “normalised management”, China's defence ministry said.

China's defence minister told his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh that "it is hoped that the two sides will work together to continuously enhance mutual trust between the two militaries".

The statement of the Chinese defence minister, General Li Shangfu, came a day after he held a meeting with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, where the latter reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border would logically be followed with de-escalation.

A Chinese Defence Ministry statement issued on Friday said that during the meeting the two sides exchanged views on militaries and bilateral relations, PTI reported.

On Thursday, General Li Shangfu held a 45-minute long meeting with Rajnath Singh on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting. This is Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu's first visit to Delhi since the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.

TWO SIDES SHOULD TAKE LONG-TERM VIEW

General Li Shangfu pointed out that “currently, the situation on the China-India border is generally stable and the two sides have maintained communication through military and diplomatic channels”.

“The two sides should take a long-term view, place the border issue in an appropriate position in bilateral relations, and promote the transition of the border situation to normalised management,” he was quoted as saying by the PTI.

“It is hoped that the two sides will work together to continuously enhance mutual trust between the two militaries and make proper contributions to the development of bilateral relations,” Li told his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh.

WHAT DID INDIA SAY AFTER THE MEETING?

Meanwhile, India, in reference to a 3-year-old standoff along with their disputed border in Ladakh, said China had eroded the “entire basis” of ties between the countries by flouting bilateral agreements.

A communique released after the meeting read: "The Raksha Mantri categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders".

"He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments. He reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation," the statement added.

Last week, India and China held the 18th round of Corps Commander-level talks at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point in eastern Ladakh. The two sides discussed confidence-building measures and ways to avoid confrontation at the borders in the coming months.

The SCO is an influential economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest trans regional international organisations. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became permanent members in 2017.

[baitdragon]

India rejects China’s renaming of 11 locations in Arunachal Pradesh

The external affairs ministry said such steps will not alter the reality that the northeastern state is an integral part of the country

India on Tuesday rejected China’s move to rename 11 location in Arunavhal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as South Tibet, with the external affairs ministry saying such steps will not alter the reality that the northeastern state is an integral part of the country.

The renaming of the 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh by China’s civil affairs ministry came at a time when the two countries are witnessing the worst bilateral in their relations in six decades because of the military standoff in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

This was the third time China has unilaterally renamed places in Arunachal Pradesh, after changing the names of six locations in April 2017 and 15 more locations in December 2021.

Responding to the latest renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright.”

He added, “Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality.”

In the past too, India had promptly rejected such renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh and reiterated that the northeastern state is an integral and inseparable part of the country.

A brief statement issued on Sunday by China’s civil affairs ministry said: “According to the relevant regulations of the State Council (China’s cabinet) on the management of geographical names, our ministry, together with relevant departments, has standardised some geographical names in southern Tibet.”

State-run tabloid Global Times reported on Monday that the civil affairs ministry gave coordinates of the places that were renamed, including two land areas, two residential areas, five mountain peaks and two rivers. “It listed the category of places’ names and their subordinate administrative districts,” the report said.

China’s state media quoted Zhang Yongpan, from the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as saying that the move to standardise names “falls within China’s sovereignty”.

[livewellnews]

China Skips Confidential G20 Meet In Arunachal: Sources

Over 50 delegates attended the meeting, which is among the dozens of events planned across 50 major cities ahead of the G20 summit in Delhi in September.

New Delhi/Guwahati: China skipped a confidential G20 meeting held in India on Sunday, sources said. The meeting was held in Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh, a northeastern state that China claims is a part of Tibet. India has rejected such claims in the past and maintains Arunachal is its integral part.

Over 50 delegates attended the meeting, which is among the dozens of events planned across 50 major cities ahead of the G20 summit in Delhi in September. India currently holds the G20 presidency.

It is unclear if China has officially lodged a protest with India over the meeting.

Neither Foreign ministry nor China has commented on it.

The weekend meeting was declared confidential and media coverage was not permitted.

Themed 'Research innovation initiative, gathering', the meeting was organised by the Science and Technology department.

The delegates who attended the meet also visited Arunachal Pradesh legislative assembly and a Buddhist monastery in Itanagar. Upon their arrival, they were received by cultural troupes at the airport. They also tasted local cuisines, said officials.

India and Chinese troops had clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the state's Tawang sector last December, in a face-off that came amid a months-long border standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had then accused China of trying to "unilaterally" change the status quo along the LAC.

[jsbmarketresearch01]

Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister to Meet Qin Gang the Chinese Foreign Minister, and Antony Blinken the U.S. Secretary of the State

S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India will be in back-to-back bilateral meetings with Qin Gang (Chinese foreign minister) and Antony Blinken (U.S. Secretary of the state) on the note of the G20 meeting between foreign ministers on Thursday. After visiting the Central Asian states at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (G20 meeting venue) at 11:30 AM, Blinken reached New Delhi on Wednesday late at night. Jaishankar will thus meet Blinken first and then follow up with other meetings.

In the noon, Jaishankar will meet with Qin immediately with Blinken. Qin is on his first visit to India and is a close aide to President Xi Jinping. He is the foreign minister and replaced Wang Yi last year. With continued tensions between U.S. and China, these meetings are important to lessen the chances of a military standoff between the Chinese and Indian troops on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh sector.

Considering the last 6 decades, relations between India and China are at the lowest given the clashes in June 2020 at the Galwan valley that caused the death of 20 Indian soldiers brutally, and 4 from the Chinese troops. Blinken has clarified that there are no plans for any meetings on the margins of the G20 meeting between him and his counterparts from China and Russia.

However, Jaishankar and Blinken’s meeting will probably help to review the progress on discussions and bilateral relations regarding international and regional issues such as that prevalent in the Indo-Pacific and Ukraine. In the recent few weeks, several visits have taken place from high-level contacts between the two nations. These include Ajit Doval, the National Security Adviser visiting the U.S. to launch the iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies).

Considering jaishankar’s meeting with Qin will perhaps focus on normalizing bilateral relations with the country and people by standing firm on India’s position on the withdrawal of frontline troops of China on the LAC. While China and India are considering relations for trade, the Chinese side has also stressed on putting the border tensions in an appropriate place. After several military and diplomatic talks, China and India withdrew troops from the invaded and disputed two banks – Gogra and Hot Springs of Pangong Lake.

But China has prepared military infrastructure, bridges, and roads on its LAC, causing friction for any progress in areas such as Demchok and Depsang. Jaishankar will also oversee other bilateral meetings with 9 guest countries set to attend the meeting for G20 foreign ministers and counterparts from G20 countries on Thursday. There will be meetings that the External Affairs Minister will attend with his counterparts from Germany and France.

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[amn-group]

Exercise Pralay: Indian Air Force will do Pralay exercise in many areas including LAC in the Northeast. Amid the ongoing standoff with China

[mariacallous]

In the early hours of Dec. 9, a few hundred Chinese soldiers armed with batons, spikes, and other primitive weapons tried to dislodge an Indian Army outpost on a ridge on the disputed border between India’s easternmost state, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tibet, which is governed by China. The Indian Army warded off the attackers, but the clash was fierce, injuring 34 Indian soldiers.

New Delhi blamed Beijing for trying to “unilaterally change the status quo,” while the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it was conducting a regular patrol when its troops were “blocked by the Indian Army illegally crossing” the border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Two days later, local military commanders from both sides agreed to a disengagement that prevents an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation at the ridge, near the edge of the Yangtse plateau. Still, Chinese and Indian soldiers remain separated by just 500 feet.

This month’s clash is not a one-off. Arunachal Pradesh has been the site of regular skirmishes in recent months, even as tensions remain high in the Ladakh region on the western section of the China-India border. Chinese provocations in the east reflect a breakdown of Indian deterrence. New Delhi’s trade with Beijing has increased, diplomatic ties have remained normal, and India has not undertaken local military operations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reputation for toughness and resolve—essential for deterrence—has been tested and found wanting.

Modi is trapped by his own nationalist rhetoric: Since deadly border clashes in Ladakh in 2020, India’s government has downplayed the border crisis to shield the prime minister’s macho image. China has been quick to exploit this weakness, which has likely emboldened it to put even more pressure on India. This shift has far-reaching consequences for New Delhi’s foreign policy, chief among them how it approaches its partnership with Washington. India fears being boxed into an alliance, but it can no longer wish away the Chinese threat.

The Yangtse plateau lies in India’s Tawang district, which is claimed by China. The sixth Dalai Lama was born in Tawang in the 17th century, and the district is home to the second-largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the world. Dai Bingguo, a Chinese diplomat who led border negotiations with India for a decade, argued in a 2017 interview that the territory that includes Tawang is “inalienable from China’s Tibet.” “Even the British colonialists who drew the illegal ‘McMahon Line’ respected China’s jurisdiction over Tawang,” he said.

The McMahon Line, although not formally accepted by the Chinese, serves as the de facto border between Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet. Henry McMahon, the British foreign secretary of colonial India, drew the line on a map with a thick red pen in 1914 during negotiations over the status of Tibet. In some places, the line violates its own principle of following the highest watershed, creating discrepancies on the ground. Yangtse is one such area of dispute, as established during border talks in the 1990s.

India first occupied the area in 1986, during the seven-year Sumdorung Chu crisis with China—a major standoff over the Yangtse plateau. It’s understandable why the PLA wants to control the 17,000-foot ridge, as military commanders agree on its tactical importance. It offers an unrestricted view of the entire Tawang Valley and Bum La pass, providing a tactical advantage. A Chinese military patrol was pushed back by India there as recently as October 2021; this year, the PLA sealed a road and constructed a camp around 500 feet short of the ridge.

Other reports suggest that clashes such as the one on Dec. 9 have taken place in Arunachal Pradesh two or three times a month on average recently, and that the Indian government has succeeded at keeping the incidents largely under wraps until now. Indian media reports that since the start of summer, the PLA has been “overtly aggressive” at the border with Arunachal Pradesh. Likewise, in the Doklam plateau in Bhutan, the site of a 73-day standoff over a Chinese construction project in 2017, the PLA has built a new bridge.

These Chinese grey zone operations—falling below the threshold of war—have gone on while tensions between the two armies in Ladakh remain high. There, each side still deploys more than 50,000 additional soldiers, Indian soldiers can’t access areas they patrolled in 2020, and border talks have failed to provide a breakthrough. If the PLA can try to dislodge India from a place like Yangtse, where New Delhi has deployed for decades, then it surely can target any place on the LAC at its will. Effective deterrence is a function of visible capacity to inflict unacceptable damage—whether military, economic, or diplomatic. The situation as it stands reflects India’s increasing inability to deter China on the disputed border.

Since the Ladakh crisis began, trade between India and China has reached record highs. India is the biggest recipient of grants from the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. This economic entanglement has further diminished India’s deterrence. Meanwhile, New Delhi has taken few diplomatic steps to dissuade Beijing from incursions. In addition to attending multilateral summits hosted by China and inviting Chinese delegations to India, the Indian military has participated with the PLA in joint exercises. New Delhi has not undertaken any quid pro quo military operations to take control of Chinese territory on the border, which it could use as a bargaining chip to reverse Beijing’s ingresses in Ladakh.

Despite these realities, around 70 percent of Indians now believe the country could defeat China militarily. Modi has avoided any public conversation about China’s border threat. After the Galwan Valley clashes, which killed 20 Indian soldiers, the prime minister said on national television that “no one has intruded into our territory.” In Beijing’s view, New Delhi is reluctant to acknowledge any aggressive Chinese actions to prevent embarrassment to Modi, and hesitant to follow through threats out of fear of further escalation.

Modi’s brief exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping at this year’s G-20 summit also failed to yield any result in the border dispute. Vijay Gokhale, who previously served as India’s foreign secretary and ambassador to Beijing, recently recommended that India should “convey signals more credibly and transparently.” In Gokhale’s words, the Modi government’s current actions corroborate Beijing’s long-held vision of New Delhi as “unequal as well as untrustworthy.”

The ongoing tensions at the India-China border inevitably shape Modi’s foreign policy. India has so far continued to pursue relationships with regimes shunned by the West, despite U.S. President Joe Biden calling ties with India the “the most important relationship for the United States, into the 21st century.” Before the war in Ukraine, India imported less than 1 percent of its crude oil from Russia; now more than 20 percent of its crude supplies come from Russia. India is collaborating with Iran on an infrastructure project to shorten the supply lines from Russia and engages with the military junta in Myanmar.

Aiming for a multipolar world, New Delhi has rarely backed the West at multilateral forums, but it hasn’t voted with Russia either. India simultaneously wants be part of the global south and have a seat at the global north’s table. But New Delhi can only pursue this independent course if it has the freedom to maneuver. Instead, its immediate and proximate challenge has become its biggest concern, forcing it to view all its foreign-policy choices through that prism. China has compelled India to reconsider choices that it has so far sidestepped, including a closer security and intelligence partnership with the United States and its allies.

The most important decision India currently faces is whether to officially join forces with the United States to counter China. Most observers see the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad (comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States), as a potential showcase for that cooperation. Kurt Campbell, the White House Indo-Pacific czar, recently revealed that New Delhi was reluctant to have the Quad hold a leaders’ summit. When the United States explored whether the Quad could develop military teeth, the Indian side restated its discomfort.

More than three years after the United States agreed to have Indian liaison officers at the Indo-Pacific Command and Special Operations Command, the Indian government has not yet nominated one. New Delhi has not responded enthusiastically to the Australian Navy’s request to send an Indian submarine to dock in Perth, Australia; Japan also speaks in whispered tones about the depth or lack thereof of India’s commitment to regional security, including over Taiwan.

Ultimately, New Delhi’s reluctance to fully commit to an anti-China security partnership also reflects its apprehension about provoking Beijing. It is the only member of the Quad that shares a land border with China and recognizes that it must deal with a continental security challenge from China on its own; the United States would not take a risk over Tawang. Nevertheless, Beijing continues to view New Delhi through the prism of its ties with Washington. It does not wish to grant India the status of a regional power to be dealt on its own terms.

The Dec. 9 clash at Tawang underlines again that India cannot escape the Chinese threat on its border. The government’s tactic of staying silent until the crisis blows over has only made the Chinese more belligerent. Since the latest clash followed Modi’s personal overture to Xi, it should be evident that the prime minister’s personality-driven diplomacy has failed. Modi has turned national energy to focus on event management around India’s G-20 presidency next year, but that won’t diminish China’s intimidating stance either.

The status quo has changed, deterrence has broken down, and Beijing’s threat looms larger by the day. Sooner or later, India will have to take more decisive action.

[todaylikes]

Ladakh standoff: Military talks between India-China frank, in-depth; focus was on resolution of issues, says joint statement | India News

Ladakh standoff: Military talks between India-China frank, in-depth; focus was on resolution of issues, says joint statement | India News

India-China Border Row: Amid the tense situation along the LAC, India and China today held the 17th round of military talks on the eastern Ladakh row. According to a joint statement, both sides agreed to maintain stability on the ground. The joint statement said that the talks were frank and in-depth while the focus remained on the resolution of remaining issues. “The 17th round of the…

[theechudar]

China Warned US Officials Not to Interfere in Its Relationship with India, Says Pentagon

China Warned US Officials Not to Interfere in Its Relationship with India, Says Pentagon

China has warned US officials not to interfere in its relationship with India, the Pentagon has said in a report to Congress. It also said that Chinese officials tried to prevent the border tensions, between India-China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), from causing New Delhi to partner more closely with the United States. Throughout its standoff with India along the LAC, the Chinese officials…

[znewstech]

China has warned US officials not to interfere in its relationship with India: Pentagon | India News - Times of India

China has warned US officials not to interfere in its relationship with India: Pentagon | India News – Times of India

WASHINGTON: China has warned American officials not to interfere in its relationship with India, the Pentagon has said in a report to the Congress. Throughout its standoff with India along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Chinese officials sought to downplay the severity of the crisis, emphasising Beijing’s intent to preserve border stability and prevent the standoff from harming other areas of…

[squarwell-breakingnews]

No reduction in strength of Chinese troops at LAC: Army chief on eastern Ladakh standoff | India News - Times of India

No reduction in strength of Chinese troops at LAC: Army chief on eastern Ladakh standoff | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Describing the situation on the frontier with China as “stable but unpredictable”, General Manoj Pande on Saturday said the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has neither reduced its forces on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), nor let up in infrastructure development for faster troop mobility and connectivity. The Army chief, while speaking at an event in the evening, also warned against…

[werindialive]

“Clearly, what happened in 2020 was an attempt by one party, EAM Jaishankar Prasad

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Day 3 of Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2022 (HTLS) on Thursday said that although India and China appear to have made significant progress in certain issues, several other matters demand intervention and quick resolution.

“So, I think it's in the nature of what I do that you have to keep pushing. I genuinely believe there will be a realisation, there should be a realisation that the present state of relations is not even in China's own interest,” S Jaishankar said.

He also made clear that “unless there is peace and tranquillity in the border areas... unless there is an observance of agreements and no unilateral attempt to change status quo... the situation cannot be, and is not, normal”.

 "It is not just the matter of public sentiments..." he added.

The dragging standoff in the Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has increased the tension between the two countries and the relationship is strained highly of all times. Even after the two countries underwent more than 24 military and diplomatic meetings, the resolution to the matters creating the tension is far from achieved. The constant talks however did ensure that frontline troops from both banks of Pangong Lake, Gogra and Hot Springs backed off.

“Clearly, what happened in 2020 was an attempt by one party to depart from the agreement and understanding... and that is at the heart of the issue,” the EAM told at the meeting.

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