Wily China’s intentions to unilaterally change the status quo in the Southern Bank was frustrated by alert Indian soldiers by strengthening their positions in the area

While military and diplomatic talks between India and China are on to resolve the nearly four-month long standoff in Eastern Ladakh, China’s People's Liberation Army troops tried to create a fresh trouble on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake on the night of 29 and 30 August.

“On the Night of 29/30 August 2020, PLA troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Monday.

But alert “Indian troops preempted this PLA activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake” by strengthening their positions in the area and “thwarted Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground.”

“The Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity. A Brigade Commander level Flag Meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues,” the Ministry of Defence said.

It should be remembered that Indian and Chinese troops are in standoff at the north bank of Pangong Tso Lake, Gogra and Depsang Plains. There has not been any dispute with regard to the south bank of Pangong Tso Lake. On the north bank, the Chinese troops have their deployment on the ridgeline of the Finger 4 spur through which the Line of Actual Control passes.

The Chinese troops have rather strengthened their positions between Finger 5 and Finger 8 even though several rounds of military and diplomatic level talks have taken place between the two sides.

Similarly, they are stayed-put in Gogra and Depsang Plains, which is 18 km west of the Line of Actual Control.

Amid this, PLA troops attempt to create a fresh trouble on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake is a cause of concern for India, indicating categorically that China is unwilling to resolve tension with India on the border.