Tension mounts in Ladakh as China brings in more troops; India maintains aggressive posturing

Chinese military is fast increasing its troops in areas around Pangong Tso lake and Galwan Valley along Line of Actual Control in Lakh, sending a clear signal that it was t rey to end its confrontation with Indian Army anytime soon, people familiar with situation in disputed region said.

Chinese side has particularly bolstered its presence in Galwan Valley, erecting around 100 tents in last two weeks and bringing in machinery for possible construction of bunkers, twithstanding stiff protest by Indian troops, y said.

In midst of escalating tension, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane paid a quiet visit to hequarters of 14 Corps in Leh on Friday and reviewed with top commanders overall security scenario in region including in disputed areas along LAC, de-facto border between India and China.

Military sources said Indian Army has also been matching up to Chinese build-up in both Pangong Tso lake and Galwan Valley and that it is in a much vantous position in certain or sensitive areas in region.

situation in Eastern Lakh deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engd in a violent face-off on evening of May 5 which spilled over to next day before two sides agreed to "diseng" following a meeting at level of local commanders.

Over 100 Indian and Chinese soldiers were injured in violence.

incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in rth Sikkim on May 9.

re were reports of multiple transgressions by Chinese troops in Eastern Lakh region in last one week. However, re is official confirmation or reaction to it.

In last one week, local commanders of both sides held at least five meetings during which Indian side took strong te of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) erecting a large numbers of tents in areas in Galwan Valley which India felt belonged to its side of LAC, sources said.

India on Thursday said Chinese military was hindering rmal patrolling by its troops and asserted that India has always taken a very responsible approach towards border manment.

At a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava also strongly refuted China's contention that tension was triggered due to trespassing by Indian forces on Chinese side.

India's response came two days after China accused Indian Army of trespassing into its territory, claiming that it was an "attempt to unilaterally change status" of LAC in Sikkim and Lakh.

On May 5, around 250 Indian and Chinese army personnel clashed with iron rods, sticks, and even resorted to stone-pelting in Pangong Tso lake area in which soldiers on both sides sustained injuries.

In a separate incident, nearly 150 Indian and Chinese military personnel were engd in a face-off near Naku La Pass in Sikkim sector on May 9. At least 10 soldiers from both sides sustained injuries.

troops of India and China were engd in a 73-day stand-off in Doklam tri-junction in 2017 which even triggered fears of a war between two nuclear-armed neighbours.

India-China border dispute covers 3,488-km-long LAC. China claims Arunachal Presh as part of sourn Tibet while India contests it.

Both sides have been asserting that pending final resolution of boundary issue, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas.

China has been critical of India's reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, and has particularly criticised New Delhi for making Lakh a union territory. China lays claim over several parts of Lakh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held ir first informal summit in April 2018 in Chinese city of Wuhan, months after Doklam standoff.

In summit, two leers decided to issue "strategic guidance" to ir militaries to strengn communications so that y can build trust and understanding.

Modi and Xi held ir second informal summit in Mamallapuram near Chennai in October last year with a focus on furr broening bilateral ties.