India, China establish hotline between ground commanders along LAC

New Delhi, Aug 2: Amid the India-China border conflict, both countries established a hotline between their ground commanders in Kongra La in north Sikkim and Khamba Dzong in the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

 

 

It should be noted that this development comes a day after the 12th round of corps commander-level talks, led by 14 Corps commander Lt-General P G K Menon and the South Xinjiang Military District chief Major General Liu Lin toook place on the Chinese side of the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point in eastern Ladakh on Saturday.

 

 

It was an nine-hour long talk about which no official word was given. However, according to the reports, there are indications that India and China have inched closer to at least completing the stalled troop disengagement at patrolling points (PPs) 15, 17 and 17A in the Hot Springs-Gogra-Kongka La area in a phased manner.

 

In a statement on Sunday, the Indian Army said the new hotline was established to “further the spirit of trust and cordial relations” along the borders to coincide with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Day.

 

 

 

This is the sixth such hotline between the ground commanders along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control. Now, there are two hotlines each in eastern Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

 

“The armed forces of the two countries have well-established mechanisms for communication at the level of ground commanders. These hotlines in various sectors go a long way in enhancing the same and maintaining peace and tranquility at the borders,” said the Army. “The inauguration was attended by ground commanders of the respective armies and a message of friendship and harmony was exchanged through the hotline,” it added.