Let the military prove its worth

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 Let the military prove its worth

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• Ugly stability: The Indian and Chinese troops are confronting each other in Ladakh, in a situation of ugly stability. China hasn't really withdrawn, and without that, the LAC (line of actual control) will be effectively redrawn.
• Losing territory: Since 1962, India has lost territory in creeping acquisitions by the Chinese. They bully Indian patrols, or deter Pashmina sheep flocks of Ladakhis from grazing in regular grounds. A large chunk has been taken away already. Example - a wide strip between Demchok and Dungti, on the Indian side of LAC, which is a no-go for all! 
• From April to July: In April 2020, it was unthinkable that Chinese intrusions (north to south) from Depsang, Galwan, Hot Spring and Pangon Tso would be so blatant. But they are! The Indian military has stopped any further intrusions, but the Chinese have dug into existing forward positions. If they are not thrown out, territory is lost forever.
• Nature of Ladakh: This is where China and Pakistan can collude. Troops here are also moved to CI ops in Kashmir valley, regularly. In 1999, the Kargil intrusions happened as Army was focused on Kashmiri insurgency and not LoC in Kargil [CI ops - counter insurgency operations].
• The 14 Corps: This Ladakh HQ new corps takes care of borders with both China and Pakistan, and also the Siachen glacier. This 14 Corps doesn't get reinforcements quickly as Northern Command is busy usually with CI ops.
• Eastern Command: It is better placed, and the three Corps defending the borders in Arunachal and Sikkim have a reserve division (15000 troops) available. Even Western theatre can come to help if Pakistani border is inactive. And a division of Mountain Strike Corps can come as well. The Chinese stay away!
• Irony in Ladakh: The Chinese feel unsafe about the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway G219, running through Aksai Chin. The PLA is scared of not only India, but Tibetan revolutionaries and Xinjiang-based extremists also. Indian military worries about China-Pak collusion cutting off Siachen glacier.
• Taken by surprise: The June 2020 incident has surprised the Indian Army as troop levels were low, and logistics depleted (end of winter). Now troops are being inducted rapidly. Sadly, the government has first denied that anything happened at all, and then has tried to minimise the damage in public perception.
• Broader message: The message the govt. sent to the world is that India can be bullied. Beijing now knows that to keep political image clean, Indian leaders won't let the real picture out. So China knows it can continue doing mischief. The public of India may be misled, but India's partner countries know the truth from satellite imagery, and are shocked.
• Options for the govt.: If India doesn't retaliate now, we lose face forever, and also a good bit of our sovereignty. Despite China's higher strength and wealth, India is no weakling. The Army is ready and capable of cleaning up the area of the Chinese, and all it needs is the right orders.

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