As Indian and Chinese commanders entered the fourth round of talks over disengagement along the LAC in Ladakh, a scrutiny of satellite images sheds light on what the two sides have achieved — and what they have yet to — in order to ease tensions.
New Delhi, July 14:
As Indian and Chinese commanders entered the fourth round of talks over disengagement along the LAC in Ladakh, a scrutiny of satellite images sheds light on what the two sides have achieved — and what they have yet to — in order to ease tensions.
What Latest Satellite Imagery Shows
An analysis of the latest imagery over the last two weeks indicate that most PLA tents opposite India’s Gogra post have been removed.
But some of them are still remaining. They could be housing troops retained for verification purposes, as claimed by Chinese government sources on Chinese internet platforms.
The Chinese troops in areas north-west of Gogra, however, have not pulled back as shown in the July 13 images.
The incursions remain almost 90 percent intact at this location, which is 10-15km north of the Indian post.
How PLA Violated LAC in May
China’s PLA stands accused of incursions in four areas of Eastern Ladakh in the last week of May 2020.
Remember, the Chinese troops swiftly moved into Hot Springs or areas opposite India’s Gogra post somewhere between May 25-29.
They put up tents, covered them with red tarpaulin and occupied mineral-rich zones.
The PLA further expanded almost 1.5km westwards, with around 40-50 tents lined up along the gorge.
Areas Northwest of Gogra Post
The Chinese army has been routinely sending patrols beyond the Chinese Claim Line, which is also the LAC in that part.
Their patrols might have noticed thin presence of Indian troops in that area, where the Chinese started building a road likely since 2016.
The road construction was obviously contested and stopped by the Indian Army. The same issue has been raised consistently at their Border Personnel Meetings.
But, in May this year, China barged almost 1.5 km inside.
India has objected to these incursions in almost all meetings that have been held with the Chinese till now.
(Col Vinayak Bhat (Retired) is a consultant for India Today. A satellite imagery analyst, he served in the Indian Army for over 33 years)
