Even though there has been some positive movement in the Indo-China relations, Indian military planners are expected to remain on high alert on the ground even if a long-term de-escalation process with China begins in the coming months.
“The way China has built roads, bridges, tunnels and habitats along the entire LAC, from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal, over the last five years, PLA troops can easily afford to pull back 100–150 km and then come back again in 2–3 hours,” a senior Army officer told TOI.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has reportedly built extensive infrastructure along the LAC, enabling rapid redeployment to forward areas if required.
PLA retains rapid mobilisation capability
While some of the PLA’s combined arms brigades (CABs) have pulled back approximately 100 km in recent months, many still remain forward deployed. These brigades are equipped with tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery, and surface-to-air missile systems. Each CAB consists of around 4,500 to 5,000 troops. In contrast, Indian forces do not possess the same mobilisation flexibility, which introduces a significant time gap in force readiness along the LAC.
“There is a huge time differential in mobilisation between the rival forces that will have to be factored in during any de-escalation talks,” the officer told TOI.
Also Read: India tests Agni-5 missile with 5,000 km range: Here's all about the nuclear-capable missile that can cover Turkey to China
Trust deficit persists despite stabilisation
So far, India and China have only agreed to “discuss de-escalation, beginning with the principles and modalities thereof.” This understanding was reached during Wang Yi’s recent visit. On the ground, although the situation has stabilised since troop disengagement at Depsang and Demchok in October last year, the trust deficit between the two armies remains considerable. Both sides continue to be forward deployed along the 3,488-km-long LAC with heavy military assets.
“There is no disruption in the coordinated patrolling by the rival soldiers there. But we cannot let our guard down since there has been no let-up in the PLA’s military preparedness and infrastructure build-up,” another senior Army officer said to TOI.
New mechanisms to strengthen border management
In order to support stability along the LAC, both countries are expanding their diplomatic and military border management mechanisms. Existing talks between the Indian 14 Corps commander and China’s South Xinjiang Military District chief in Ladakh will now be complemented by “general-level mechanisms” in the eastern (Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh) and middle (Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh) sectors as reported by TOI.
From the Indian side, the middle sector is likely to involve the Lt-General commanding the Uttar Bharat Area based in Bareilly, which has been “combatised.” In the eastern sector, the Dimapur-based 3 Corps or Tezpur-based 4 Corps are expected to be involved in the new structure.
Patrolling rights restoration a key objective
In eastern Ladakh, a key priority for India remains the restoration of patrolling rights in areas where “no-patrol buffer zones” were established during previous disengagement rounds up to September 2022. These buffer zones, ranging from 3 km to 10 km, were created at Galwan, the north bank of Pangong Tso, the Kailash Range, and the larger Gogra-Hot Springs area. Initially framed as “temporary moratoriums,” there has been no progress in lifting these restrictions, despite these areas being considered by India as part of its own territory.
India-China to resume border trade
These comments follow the recent decision to reopen border trade through three designated trading points: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh, and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. This development occurred during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India earlier this week.
(With inputs from TOI)
“The way China has built roads, bridges, tunnels and habitats along the entire LAC, from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal, over the last five years, PLA troops can easily afford to pull back 100–150 km and then come back again in 2–3 hours,” a senior Army officer told TOI.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has reportedly built extensive infrastructure along the LAC, enabling rapid redeployment to forward areas if required.
PLA retains rapid mobilisation capability
While some of the PLA’s combined arms brigades (CABs) have pulled back approximately 100 km in recent months, many still remain forward deployed. These brigades are equipped with tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery, and surface-to-air missile systems. Each CAB consists of around 4,500 to 5,000 troops. In contrast, Indian forces do not possess the same mobilisation flexibility, which introduces a significant time gap in force readiness along the LAC.
“There is a huge time differential in mobilisation between the rival forces that will have to be factored in during any de-escalation talks,” the officer told TOI.
Also Read: India tests Agni-5 missile with 5,000 km range: Here's all about the nuclear-capable missile that can cover Turkey to China
Trust deficit persists despite stabilisation
So far, India and China have only agreed to “discuss de-escalation, beginning with the principles and modalities thereof.” This understanding was reached during Wang Yi’s recent visit. On the ground, although the situation has stabilised since troop disengagement at Depsang and Demchok in October last year, the trust deficit between the two armies remains considerable. Both sides continue to be forward deployed along the 3,488-km-long LAC with heavy military assets.
“There is no disruption in the coordinated patrolling by the rival soldiers there. But we cannot let our guard down since there has been no let-up in the PLA’s military preparedness and infrastructure build-up,” another senior Army officer said to TOI.
New mechanisms to strengthen border management
In order to support stability along the LAC, both countries are expanding their diplomatic and military border management mechanisms. Existing talks between the Indian 14 Corps commander and China’s South Xinjiang Military District chief in Ladakh will now be complemented by “general-level mechanisms” in the eastern (Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh) and middle (Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh) sectors as reported by TOI.
From the Indian side, the middle sector is likely to involve the Lt-General commanding the Uttar Bharat Area based in Bareilly, which has been “combatised.” In the eastern sector, the Dimapur-based 3 Corps or Tezpur-based 4 Corps are expected to be involved in the new structure.
Patrolling rights restoration a key objective
In eastern Ladakh, a key priority for India remains the restoration of patrolling rights in areas where “no-patrol buffer zones” were established during previous disengagement rounds up to September 2022. These buffer zones, ranging from 3 km to 10 km, were created at Galwan, the north bank of Pangong Tso, the Kailash Range, and the larger Gogra-Hot Springs area. Initially framed as “temporary moratoriums,” there has been no progress in lifting these restrictions, despite these areas being considered by India as part of its own territory.
India-China to resume border trade
These comments follow the recent decision to reopen border trade through three designated trading points: Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh, and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. This development occurred during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India earlier this week.
(With inputs from TOI)
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