China amassing troops, weapons at LAC: India Says no change on ground despite talks, ties will be affected

Signalling that there has hardly been any de-escalation so far despite ongoing diplomatic and military talks with Beijing, India admitted on Thursday that a large number of Chinese troops remain deployed in border areas along the Line of Actual Control.

In its hardest ever statement since the Ladakh standoff began in May, New Delhi said, “The deployment of a large body of troops and changes in behaviour (of PLA soldiers) has also been aggravated by unjustified and untenable claims.”

Releasing the government’s statement, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that China has now “shifted its position” to claim the Galwan Valley.

Several rounds of talks have taken place between the two countries’ senior military and foreign ministry officials and there have been assurances from the Chinese to carry out the mutually-agreed de-escalation, but there has been no change on the ground, New Delhi indicated, hinting at a disquieting level of distrust of the Chinese.

“At the heart of the matter,” Mr Srivastava said, “is that since early May, the Chinese side has been amassing a large contingent of troops and armaments along the LAC. This is not in accordance with the provisions of our various bilateral agreements... Both sides remain deployed in large numbers in the region, while military and diplomatic contacts are continuing.”

Squarely putting the blame on Beijing for the June 15 clash and rising tension between the two nations, India said that a large number of its troops are now positioned on the border as a counterdeployment measure.

India’s statement comes a day after satellite images, taken by US satellite firm Maxar on June 22, emerged showing Chinese soldiers near patrolling point 14 in Galwan river valley. The images, and reports of fresh Chinese incursions in Depsang and Daulat Beg Oldie areas, coincided with a meeting between diplomats of both the countries on Wednesday.

India warned that the continuation of the present situation would further vitiate the atmosphere and severely damage bilateral ties.

Sources in the Indian Army said that they are not expecting disengagement with the Chinese Army any time soon. “Disengagement will take time,” a source said.