Sino Indian Face Off In May 2020

-Colonel Abhay Patwardhan (Retd) 

 

 

Indian and Chinese Soldiers were engaged in two fierce, Face Offs/Stand Offs in Demchok Area of Eastern Ladakh and near Naku La Pass in North Sikkim, injuring several Soldiers on both sides. Sino Indian Border dispute covers 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto border between two neighbors. The Asian giants have a long history border dispute that led to a war in 1962 and continued there after.This festering feud causes around 400 face offs/stand offs every year along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Both sides have been asserting that, pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is necessary to maintain Peace and Tranquility in Border Areas.

 

In the First incident, both Armies came face to face on afternoon of 05 May 20 at ‘Finger 5’ at the Pangong Tso.Tso means lake in Tibetan language. Top of the voice shouts followed by ‘Stand Off Blows’ were exchanged, injuring some Officers and Soldiers on both sides. Ultimately, matter was resolved at local Army Level, Soldiers backed off to disengage and are now positioned some distance from scuffle site. Approximately 250 Soldiers were involved in face off. China deployed additional troops amounting to over 2,000 by evening of 06 May, 20.Indians seems to have responded by strengthening their Force Level though Army has denied having done so as it claimed that “There is no continuing face off at the Pangong Tso Lake” following the fracas. This is the same spot which witnessed stone pelting and fist fights between these two Armies in 2017 and 2019..

 

 

In Second Incident, Indian and Chinese Soldiers were engaged in a face off on 06 May,20. Venue of the scene was a place near Naku La at a height of more than 5,000 meters. ’La’ means Pass in Tibetan/Sikkim language. Sources have confirmed that, four Indian and half a dozen Chinese Troops were injured at Naku La sector, which is ahead of Muguthang which is a place, China has tried to capture since long. Top of Naku La is long, wet and swampy with several lakes. Five feet high and 800 meters long Tibetan wall running across the valley, exists on a ridge coming down from East. As on date, Chinese consider the wall as border, neglecting the “Watershed Principle” to which they earlier adhered. Access to this place is extremely difficult. Muguthang is still not connected by road.

 

In 1905,Ten Pillars were erected; inter alia, one on Naku La, one on the Sebu La, and eight along the remaining northern boundary from near the Sebu La to Kangchung La, to mark the border in this sector. Necessity was not felt for any pillars along the western portion, as it is an inaccessible ridge. Therefore, 23 cairns were built Eastwards. Chinese are today using this historical loop hole to open a new front on LAC. Terrain is extremely hostile on the Indian side, particularly in the western part of this sector.On the Tibetan side opposite to this sector, Chinese Kampa Dzong (county) is on a flat plateau. China wants to put pressure on India and Naku La pass is a convenient acupuncture point as heavy PLA deployment is now taking place on its Northern Side. Chinese ZTQ-15 Light Tanks are used by 54th Heavy Armor Combined Arms Brigade in located in Tibet Military Area Command in Kampa Dzong. Naku La is where a lanky Indian Lieutenant broke nose bridge of a burly Chinese senior officer in a fist fight. Sequence of actions was almost similar to that in Ladakh. Situation is still tense in both areas. Face Off including fist cuffs on 05/06 May,2020 ended with both Armies presently maintaining vigil shifting some distance away from each other.

 

There have been repeated confrontations along LAC at many points in the past. Different perceptions run in these areas on LAC. It is natural/understandable because there is a total disagreement between India and China, about where the border lies. So, Indian Forces conduct patrols up to the Indian claim, while Chinese do the same akin to their claim. While doing so,at times, they run into each other and come face to face. When they come to the same place,at the same time, that is when such face offs occur/clashes break out. These are in the form of just pushing and shoving. There have been incidences of stone throwing at times, but things usually do not go beyond this. Generally, the matter is settled at Local Level, and rarely escalates to warrant involvement of respective Senior Army/Governments Authorities.

 

On 06 May,20 itself, when the Face Off was in progress, Troops deployed in Demchok Area of Eastern Ladakh, spotted two Chinese Ziba Type Attack Helicopters flying very close to the un demarcated border. It was presumed that for some time, Helicopters hovered over Indian Territory. As per Initial Report; two Sukhoy 30 Fighters Aircrafts of IAF carried out deterrent sorties in that area on reported violation of Air Space. As per available information, PLA Helicopters came close to the border during the face off as a support to its warring Troops. While reports said the SU 30s also responded and flew towards the site, sources said that the Fighters were on routine flying exercise in the same area that day and were not scrambled in response to the Chinese Helicopters. Finally it emerged that, there was no air space violation on either side. As per existing agreements between India and China, operation of Fighter Aircraft and Armed Helicopters is restricted to a stipulated distance from the LAC. According to the ‘Agreement on Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the LAC in India China Border Area’ of 1996”,Combat Aircrafts, to include Fighter/ Bomber/ Reconnaissance/Military Trainer/Armed Helicopter/any other Armed Aircraft shall not fly within 10 km of the LAC.

 

On 11 May, 20, Chinese Foreign Ministry reacted guardedly to the recent clashes stating that, PLA has always remained “committed to uphold peace and tranquility” at the border areas and that both nations should not politicise or stigmatise recent unfortunate incidents. On same day, Indian Army Chief opined that; one should "not read too much into" the recent face-offs between India and China which occurred near simultaneously at two places in Ladakh and Sikkim as it is "nothing of concern" and that Army will ensure that peace and tranquility is maintained in the border areas.

 

One could ask, while the issue has been simmering for a few years, why such renewed aggressiveness now? Why is China opening new fronts against India? China is showing its military muscle not only to India but also to the US and other countries who contest its claims in the South China Sea. And India is Party to it as an active member of Quad. As China recovered from the dreaded Covid 19 Corona, it started ‘Information Warfare’.‘Chinese Strong Arm Technique’ generally works. Recently; Vladimir Putin was targeted by asking the Russian authorities not to discriminate against Chinese citizens; Ministry of Foreign Affairs blamed Americans for being originator of the Covid 19 Corona Virus, thus targeting Trump. China blamed Indian Government/companies for poor maintenance of faulty Covid 19 Diagnostic Kits it has supplied. Chinese embassy in Australia e mailed local journalists, accusing them of 'politicizing the Covid 19 Corona Virus' by saying it originated in China 'without any supporting facts’. In the process, China found it necessary to show force since she has not limited the 'battle' only to Diplomatic Field.

 

Off late, China has been particularly aggressive in all fields against India. China has pressurised Nepal to lodge strong protests against construction of road to Lipulekh Pass on Indian side of Indo Nepal border. China has pitched tents at Petrol Point 14,close to Galwan River opposite Demchok/Daulat Beg Oldie Airfield area which was a flash point in 1962 in Ladakh. Indian Petrols have reported movement of about 1000 heavy vehicles in that area. It seems that, PLA has become aggressive on the ground. Recent 'fights' in Northern Sikkim and Ladakh are part of the same pattern and should be seen in this perspective. Therefore, there is a chance that above border incidents may turn into something more serious, though, it is too early to say if they are something routine or something more serious.India has to wait and see how it develops. Such acts by China against India at this juncture show its aggressive intentions and would harm the bilateral ties in the long run.

 

As far as India is concerned, China generally indulges in a border face off/stand off with India whenever our relations with the US and other Quad Partners start improving/ becoming close. It also makes a strong case for building our Military Capabilities as “China respects strength only.” It is crucial for India to demonstrate strength. Other wise, peace along the disputed border will be “constantly and continuously” under stress, with “increase in frequency, intensity and depth of Chinese transgressions” leading to more and more Face Offs/Stand Offs.