India says border situation is a ‘direct result’ of Chinese actions as it repositions troops in Ladakh

• India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson told the press that the situation that has been unfolding along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for the past four months is a ‘direct result’ of Chinese actions.
  
• According to him, the only way ahead is through military and diplomatic negotiations.
  
• Meanwhile, Indian troops on the border have repositioned to cover any vulnerabilities.
  
• Along Pangong Tso Lake, the Indian Army is reportedly dominating the height while the Chinese troops have control of Finger 4.
  

The face-off between India and China is a ‘direct result’ of Chinese actions, according to the spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Anurag Srivastava. In a press briefing earlier today, he stated that the only way ahead is through military and diplomatic negotiations.


Meanwhile, as tensions continue to brew, Indian forces have reportedly been repositioned to secure the border further. A senior official told Hindustan Times that changes were made to preempt any Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) transgressions in vulnerable spots.

Both sides are also adding to their troops. India has deployed specialised forces like the Special Frontier Force, which was created after the 1962 war against China.


However, even with additional troops, the entire length of the border between India and China extends to 3,488 kilometers. Deploying troops all year round to monitor every point is not feasible, said HT’s source.

“Indian armed forces will have to be prepared to meet the immediate crisis and concurrently prepare for the future,” Chief Defence Secretary General Bipin Rawat told the press.

Who crossed the border?
The Indian Army is currently dominating the strategic heights along the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso Lake, where India claims China tried to ‘unilaterally change the status quo’.


The Chinese PLA, on the other hand, reportedly has control of the ridgeline at Finger 4.

According to India, this is the PLA crossing over to the India side of the border since the LAC lies at Finger 8. But China claims that the border lies at Finger 2 instead, so having control of Finger 4 is within its prerogative.

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