China rapidly rebuilding Tents at Galwan clash site – Burning Issues – Free PDF Download

• China has brought back the tent-like structure that Indian troops had destroyed on June 15 near Patrol Point 14 (PP 14) in the Galwan Valley, escalating tensions that were expected to cool down after Monday’s (22-June) corps commander-level talks.
• Both sides had vacated the site after the deadly clash in which 20 Indian soldiers led by Col Santosh Babu were killed.
• The Chinese tent was removed during the skirmish, following which the two sides agreed on talks through senior military and diplomatic channels.
• The construction of a new tent even as talks make slow progress is bound to have a debilitating impact on efforts to disengage the troops.

• Sources confirmed that satellite images show significant construction activity by the Chinese side at Patrol Point -14, including new defences and a hardened shelter for troops. These include additional troops that were moved along the LAC following the clash at Galwan. India has countered this by stepping up deployments on its side.

• Chinese troop deployments along the Line of Actual Control have apparently crossed 10,000. “Offensive Chinese deployments are seen at many locations, some of them reinforced with tanks and artillery.
• Since the clash, China has accelerated road works and seems to be creating infrastructure to house troops at Patrol Point 14, an area that earlier was only patrolled.

Depsang plains: New Area of Concern

• Besides Galwan and Pangong Tso, two other areas of concern are the Depsang plains near DBO and the Gogra Post.
• The location is also strategic as Chinese side can use its units there to interdict and cut off road access to the DBO airfield as well as the Karakoram pass.

• At Depsang, Chinese armoured formations have amassed along the LAC, while a 2 -km deep incursion has taken place near Gogra, where PLA troops are deployed.
•  The fear in Depsang is that the Chinese might move to their claim line, which currently varies between 15 km and 20 km on the Indian side of the LAC.

Despang Stand off Also Took Place in 2013

• In 2013, a three-week standoff took place at the Depsang plain after a Chinese platoon set up a camp near Raki Nalla. This was a surprise for India as this disputed area — where the LAC difference ranges from 15-20 km — had been patrolled by both sides in the past.
• The Chinese side agreed to withdraw after weeks of flag meetings. Since then, India has completed its road to DBO and beyond, increasing the strategic value of the location.
• This Act Will Kill Any Little Trust in Negotiations.

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