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India on Monday insisted on restoration of status quo ante of April and comprehensive disengagement of troops by China from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh to resolve the border standoff, government sources said, as the two countries held a seventh round of military talks. The Corps commander-level talks began at around 12 noon in Chushul on the Indian side of the <keyword id="49399" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control">Line of Actual Control</keyword> (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and continued beyond 8:30 PM, they said. As the border standoff entered the sixth month, an early resolution to the row appeared dim with close to 100,000 Indian and Chinese troops remaining deployed in the high-altitude region and showing readiness for a long-haul. There is no official word on the talks yet but sources said the agenda was to finalise a roadmap for disengagement of troops from all the friction points. The Indian delegation is led by Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, and includes Naveen Srivastava, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA). It is learnt an official of the Chinese foreign ministry is also part of the Chinese delegation. The sources said India pressed for an early and complete disengagement of troops by China from all the friction points besides demanding immediate restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to April. The standoff began on May 5. The China Study Group (CSG) comprising Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs on Friday finalised India's strategy for the military talks. The CSG is India's key policy making body on China. Ahead of the talks, sources said India will also strongly oppose any demand by China for withdrawal of Indian troops from several strategic heights on the southern bank of the Pangong lake to kick-start the disengagement process. During the sixth round of Corps commander talks on September 21, the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) insisted on withdrawal of troops by the Indian Army from several strategic heights in Mukhpari, Rezang La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of Pangong lake. Indian troops had occupied the strategic heights after the PLA soldiers attempted to intimidate them in the southern bank of Pangong lake on the intervening night of August 29 and 30. India has been maintaining that the disengagement process has to start simultaneously at all the friction points. At the talks, the two sides were expected to further explore steps to maintain stability on the ground and avoid any action that may trigger fresh tension in the region where troops from the Indian army and the PLA will be facing difficult conditions in the next four months due to harsh winter, the sources said. Following the sixth round of military talks, the two sides announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters. The military talks were held with a specific agenda of exploring ways to implement a five-point agreement reached between Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) conclave. The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC. Days after the military talks, the two sides held diplomatic parleys under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs, but no concrete outcome emerged from the negotiations on September 30. After the diplomatic talks, the MEA said it was agreed that the next round of the meeting of senior commanders should be held at an early date so that both sides can work towards an early and complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC in accordance with the existing bilateral agreement and protocols. Naveen Srivastava, who has been leading the Indian side at the WMCC talks, also attended the military parleys on September 21 for the first time. It is Lt Gen Singh's last round of talks with the PLA in the current standoff as he is due to take charge as head of the prestigious Indian Military Academy(IMA) this week. His successor at the 14 Corps Lt Gen PGK Menon is also part of the Indian delegation. At the previous six rounds of military talks, the Indian side insisted on complete disengagement of Chinese troops at the earliest, and immediate restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to April. The situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated following at least three attempts by the Chinese soldiers to "intimidate" Indian troops along the northern and southern bank of Pangong lake area between August 29 and September 8 where even shots were fired in the air for the first time at the LAC in 45 years. As tensions escalated further, the foreign ministers of India and China held talks in Moscow on September 10 where they reached a five-point agreement to defuse the situation in eastern Ladakh. The agreement was the basis for the sixth round of Corps commander-level talks. In the last three months, the Indian Army rushed tanks, heavy weaponry, ammunition, fuel, food and essential winter supplies to various treacherous and high-altitude areas of the region to maintain combat readiness through the harsh winter of around four months starting around mid-October. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/china-launches-earth-observation-satellite-amid-border-tensions-with-india/articleshow/78613147.cms">China launches Earth observation satellite amid border tensions with India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/massive-power-cut-reported-across-mumbai-discom-points-finger-at-tatas/articleshow/78613787.cms">Massive power cut across Mumbai due to grid failure —electricity restored in certain areas</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/sitharaman-offers-states-12000-crore-interest-free-for-the-next-50-years-if-they-can-spend-it-on-capital-projects-by-march-2021/articleshow/78616741.cms">Sitharaman offers states ₹12,000 crore interest-free for the next 50 years if they can spend it on capital projects by March 2021</a>

India insists China disengages from all friction points along LAC at 7th round of military talks

India and China on Wednesday agreed to hold a meeting soon between the senior commanders of their armies for an early disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where the two countries are locked in a face-off since June this year. New Delhi and Beijing held their 19th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs on Wednesday. Both sides agreed that the next, i.e., the seventh round of meeting of senior commanders should be held at an "early date so that both sides can work towards early and complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, and fully restore peace and tranquility". The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) of the Ministry of External Affairs. The Director General of the Boundary &amp; Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation. An official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said that the two sides reviewed the current situation along the LAC and had "frank and detailed discussions on the developments since the last meeting of the WMCC on August 20". Both India and China attached importance to the meetings between the two Defence Ministers and the two Foreign Ministers held earlier this month. They also noted that the agreement between the two Foreign Ministers should be "sincerely implemented to ensure disengagement at all the friction points along the LAC". The two sides positively evaluated the outcome of the sixth senior commanders' meeting held on September 21. They emphasised the need to implement the steps outlined in the joint press release issued after the last meeting of the senior commanders so as to avoid misunderstandings and to maintain stability on the ground, the statement said. The representatives of both the sides said that there was a need to strengthen communication, especially between the ground commanders. Both sides agreed to continue to maintain close consultations at the diplomatic and military levels. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/babri-masjid-demolition-case-cbi-special-court-acquits-all-accused-judge-says-demolition-was-not-pre-planned/articleshow/78401534.cms">Babri Masjid demolition case: CBI Special Court acquits all accused, judge says ‘demolition was not pre-planned’</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/rbi-records-its-largest-ever-current-account-surplus-but-thats-not-necessarily-a-good-thing/articleshow/78403696.cms">RBI records its largest-ever current account surplus — but that’s not necessarily a good thing</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/airtel-launches-new-cybersecurity-product-with-cisco-radware-vmware-and-forcepoint-for-enterprises-it-took-100-crore-and-over-a-year-to-set-up/articleshow/78403006.cms">Airtel launches new cybersecurity product with CISCO, Radware, VMware, and Forcepoint for enterprises — it took ₹100 crore and over a year to set up</a>

India-China agree to hold early meeting for disengagement along LAC

New Delhi, <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> and <keyword id="1334" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> on Saturday held another round of <keyword id="6043242" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="military-talks">military talks</keyword> with a focus on taking forward the <keyword id="9531122" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="disengagement-process">disengagement process</keyword> in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang in eastern Ladakh and bring down the tensions in the region, <keyword id="233909" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="official-sources">official sources</keyword> said. The 10th round of Corps Commander-level talks are taking place two days after the Chinese and Indian militaries completed the withdrawal of troops, weapons and other military hardware from the North and South banks of Pangong lake areas as part of an agreement. The meeting started at 10 am at the Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control and it was continuing, the sources said. They said India will insist on a faster disengagement process in remaining areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang to bring down tension in the region that has witnessed a tense standoff between the two militaries for over nine months. "The focus of the talks is on carrying forward the disengagement process," said a source. On February 11, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced in <keyword id="6354721" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="parliament">Parliament</keyword> that India and China reached an agreement on disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong lake that mandates both sides to "cease" forward deployment of troops in a "phased, coordinated and verifiable" manner. Under the agreement, he said China will pull back its troops to east of Finger 8 areas in the northern bank of Pangong lake while the Indian personnel will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 in the region. Similar action would take place on the <keyword id="221581" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="South-Bank">south bank</keyword> of the lake as well, he said. The sources said troops of both sides have retreated to positions that were agreed upon by both the sides. The disengagement process began on February 10. The Indian delegation at Saturday's talks is being led by Lt Gen PGK Menon, the Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps. The Chinese side was to be headed by Maj Gen Liu Lin, the commander of the South Xinjiang military district of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). In his statement in Parliament, the defence minister also said that it was agreed to convene the next meeting of senior commanders of both sides within 48 hours of completion of the disengagement in the Pangong lake areas so as to resolve all other remaining issues. Days later, the <keyword id="43909" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Defence-ministry">Defence Ministry</keyword> said other outstanding "problems" including in Depsang, Hot Springs and Gogra will be taken up at the upcoming talks between military commanders of the two countries. The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry even as the two sides continued military and diplomatic talks. Last year, the Chinese military built several bunkers and other structures in the areas between Finger 4 and 8 and had blocked all Indian patrols beyond Finger 4, triggering strong reaction from the Indian Army. In the nine rounds of military talks, India had specifically insisted on withdrawal of Chinese troops from Finger 4 to Finger 8 on the North bank of Pangong Lake. The mountain spurs in the area are referred to as Fingers. On its part, the Chinese side was insisting on withdrawal of Indian troops from several strategic peaks on the southern bank of the lake. Around five months back, Indian troops occupied a number of strategic heights in the Mukhpari, Rechin La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank after the Chinese PLA attempted to intimidate them in the area. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/pewdiepies-lyrics-targeting-cocomelon-and-jk-rowling-that-may-have-gotten-youtube-angry-enough-to-pull-the-video-down/articleshow/81102941.cms">PewDiePie's lyrics targeting CocoMelon and JK Rowling may have gotten YouTube angry enough to pull the video down</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/flipkart-gets-leaner-with-a-300-million-jabong-write-off-as-ceo-kalyan-krishnamurthy-lists-out-the-priorities-for-2021/articleshow/81105083.cms">Flipkart gets leaner with a $300 million Jabong write-off as CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy lists out the priorities for 2021</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/happiest-minds-is-leveraging-its-partnerships-with-big-players-like-google-microsoft-aws-salesforce/articleshow/81105035.cms">Happiest Minds is a smaller company that does the same thing as MindTree and L&amp;T Infotech — but clearly it is doing it a lot better</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-may-require-twitter-facebook-and-others-to-remove-unlawful-content-within-36-hours/articleshow/81104740.cms">India may require Twitter, Facebook and others to remove unlawful content within 36 hours</a>

India and China hold 10th round of military talks regarding disengagement in eastern Ladakh, says official sources

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Despite pressure from Western allies, India has refused to isolate Russia over the Ukraine war.</li><li>India's Narendra Modi this week spoke with both Ukraine's and Russia's leaders.</li></ul>When <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/narendra-modi-won-already-seeing-cost-him-allies-cabinet-funding-2024-6">Narendra Modi</a> visited Ukraine over the weekend, he greeted its president Volodymyr Zelenskyy with an exuberant bear hug.He did the same <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-india-modi-putin-hug-west-isolation-big-blow-2024-7">to Vladimir Putin</a> only weeks ago when he traveled to Moscow to meet the Russian president, much to the anger of Zelenskyy."It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hug the world's most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day," Zelenskyy wrote on X at the time.Modi's visits to both Ukraine and Russia characterize his relentless ambiguity on the Ukraine war. He has not condemned nor supported the invasion and is now acting as a peacemaker.The diplomatic highwire act highlights the dilemma Modi faces as he seeks to balance pressure from the US to show more support for Ukraine against <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/modi-putin-russia-india-relationship-not-worried-us-biden-mad-2024-7">maintaining good ties with Russia.</a><h2 id="5631f287-50fa-42fc-9492-15da89d39bf8">A quick end to the war</h2>In the wake of the Ukraine trip, Modi called Putin. In a post on X, Modi said he reiterated "India's firm commitment to support an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict."Dinakar Peri, a fellow at the Council for Strategic and Defense Research, told Business Insider that Modi's Ukraine visit was high on symbolism."Although the image of India being a peacemaker is largely rhetoric, the fact of the matter is that India is definitely uniquely positioned in comparison to many other countries due to the kind of bandwidth they have with Russia," said Peri.Rahul Bhatia, an analyst with the Eurasia Group, told BI that while India is reluctant to come down on one side in the Ukraine war, it sees grave dangers in a prolonged conflict in Ukraine."India has sought to take a balanced approach to the war in Ukraine. New Delhi wants to maintain its relationship with Russia regardless of its diplomatic isolation," said Bhatia.<h2 id="bb68f21a-9c73-4a16-a530-190e801237c5">India's ties with the Kremlin are tested</h2>Modi's insistence on not taking a side in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-murder-convict-ivan-rossomakhin-kills-again-joins-army-wagner-2024-8">Ukraine</a> is likely to baffle and frustrate many Western observers, but analysts say there are vital economic and strategic goals behind India's position.India has long had <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-bid-undermine-global-ukraine-support-working-zelenskyy-peace-2024-6">close diplomatic ties with Russia</a>. During the Cold War, it relied on the Kremlin for military support while the US-backed regional rival Pakistan.It now depends on Russia for oil supplies, surpassing <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/xi-china-putin-russia-frenemies-limits-power-sphere-influence-2024-7">China</a> this week to become Russia's top oil importer."Most of the oil India imports from Russia is actually going to Europe," said Peri. "India is just a conduit — the oil is refined here, and the refined petroleum products are going to Europe as we speak.""In that way, India has played the middle role of stabilizing the larger global economy, which would otherwise have gone for a toss."Peri also pointed out India's dependence on Russia for military equipment, as well as upgrades and spare parts."Around 60% of Indian military equipment is of Russian origin," said Peri. "We have received a lot from other countries in the last few decades, like France, Israel, and increasingly so from the US, but we're still heavily Russian-oriented."But the Ukraine war has shaken up India's relations with the Kremlin.The US is pressuring India to help isolate Putin as punishment for the Ukraine invasion, and India is worried about the Kremlin's increasingly close relationship with China, which has backed Russia amid the Ukraine invasion."India-US ties are not just about Russia or the war in Ukraine," said Peri. "They're also about trade and strategic cooperation, which in some cases is also underpinned by concerns over China or the larger developments in the Indo-Pacific."<h2 id="4c3050d8-adb0-46af-b14f-2689f19f7caa">India sees Russia as a buffer against China's aggression</h2>India has long been concerned about China's increasing aggressiveness in Asia, with a Himalayan border dispute erupting into clashes that left 24 people dead in 2020.Indian and Chinese militaries have been engaged in a standoff on the disputed region of Ladakh since 2020. Although the countries have disengaged on several points, the standoff has continued.Peri said that is India dependent on good ties with the Kremlin to help mitigate that threat: "The standoff created new dynamics for India, and those are all factors which will be in Indian calculations on the stand it takes."Bhatia agreed that India has an eye on China when it engages with Russia. "While New Delhi accepts that Russia and China will gradually grow closer, it believes that maintaining a good relationship with Moscow will ensure that Russia remains neutral when India-China border tensions flare up," he said.It also relies on close ties with the US to help counter China's aggression, reviving the "Quad" dialogue with the US, Australia, and Japan in 2017 to counter China's threat.In the meantime, Modi will likely continue India's tightrope act, maintaining its alliance with the US while seeking not to alienate the Kremlin as it warily watches China's growing might.

India's refusal to take a side in the Ukraine war is frustrating the West. But it has its reasons.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Three years after a deadly clash, India and China's disputed border in the Himalayas remains tense.</li><li>Both sides are beefing up their presence there, basing more troops and building more infrastructure.</li></ul>Three years after the first deadly clash on India's and China's disputed Himalayan border in decades, the region <a href="https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/05/why-we-should-all-worry-about-china-india-border-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remains tense</a>.Repeated rounds of talks over disengagement <a href="https://thewire.in/diplomacy/no-progress-on-resolving-chinese-border-ingress-in-ladakh-in-18th-round-of-military-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have failed</a>, and Chinese and Indian soldiers were wounded in another <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-china-border-scuffle-injured-troops-both-sides-indian-defence-minister-2022-12-13/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brawl</a> in December. Both countries continue <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/both-china-india-ramp-up-infrastructure-on-north-bank-of-pangong-tso/article67034490.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to build up</a> military forces and infrastructure around hotspots on the border.An important part of that buildup has been China's deployment of light tanks, which can maneuver well on mountainous terrain and deploy quickly in large numbers. Their presence has exposed shortcomings in the Indian military's armored inventory, which relies heavily on main battle tanks that struggle in high altitudes.Consequently, India is planning to developing its own light tank to level the playing field.<h2>Light tanks</h2><div type="image" title="Army M24 Chaffee light tank Bologna Italy" height="1367" width="1823" msid="101441088" hostid="261" sizebytes="201378"></div>Light tanks are intended to provide direct support to infantry against enemy positions and light armored vehicles rather than square off against enemy tanks on their own. Their design puts an emphasis on speed and maneuverability at the cost of armor and firepower.Interest in light tanks is growing and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amid-armor-battles-in-ukraine-militaries-building-new-light-tanks-2023-3" target="_top">isn't limited to India and China</a> — the US and Japan are also reinvesting in the concept — but China's and India's need is especially pronounced, as the terrain separating them is particularly difficult for main battle tanks.This was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-india-tanks-armor-could-make-future-war-much-deadlier-2021-5" target="_top">proved</a> in 2020 and 2021, when, as a result of a deadly border clash in Ladakh that killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese soldiers, both countries deployed armored units to parts of the Himalayas with altitudes of 11,000 feet and higher.The low air pressure at those altitudes hindered the performance of tank engines, and freezing temperatures forced soldiers to turn their armored vehicles on for up to 30 minutes every two or three hours to prevent engine components from freezing. Heavier vehicles also had trouble with the terrain.Despite the difficulties for armored vehicles, neither side is willing to deploy troops to the area without them, largely because of the important role tanks still play on the battlefield.<h2>The Type 15</h2><div type="image" title="China Type 15 tank" height="1336" width="2000" msid="101441091" hostid="261" sizebytes="107876"></div>China has coped with these issues by deploying its <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_heavy_armoured_vehicle_tank_uk/vt5_light_weight_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures_video_11711164.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Type 15</a> light tank, one of the few modern light tanks produced in the 21st century.Unveiled <a href="https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-11/03/content_27259981.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in 2016</a>, the Type 15 — also known as the ZTQ-15 — is billed as a lighter, cheaper alternative to heavier, more complex tanks produced by Russia or Western countries. Weighing in at 33 tons to 36 tons, depending on its load, the Type 15 is considerably lighter than China's 41-ton <a href="https://www.militarytoday.com/tanks/type_96.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Type 96</a> tank and 55-ton <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_heavy_armoured_vehicle_tank_uk/ztz99_type_99_wz123_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_information_description_intelligence_uk.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Type 99</a> tank and less than half as heavy as recent versions of the US-made M1 Abrams.The Type 15 reportedly entered service in 2018, though it first appeared publicly as an <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2019_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/new_light_tank_type_15_at_rehearsal_of_chinese_military_parade.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in-service</a> tank in 2020 during the military parade for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. China's military is believed to have about 500 in service.<div type="image" title="China Type 15 tank" height="1333" width="2000" msid="101441093" hostid="261" sizebytes="194556"></div>Its 105 mm rifled gun is equipped with an autoloader and it has an ammo capacity of 38 rounds. Its secondary armament comprises a remotely operated 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. It has a top speed of 43 mph on paved roads and 25 mph off-road.The tank is made of standard steel but is fitted with explosive reactive armor blocks on its turret and sides. It can also <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2019/08/chinas-vt5-lightweight-tank-to-be-fitted-with-active-protection-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">be equipped</a> with a Chinese-made active protection system.The Type 15 is equipped with a suite of modern electronics, including a laser range finder, nighttime and thermal optics, a warning sensor system, satellite communications, and inertial and satellite navigation systems.In addition to its weight, the Type 15 has other features that make it suitable for mountainous operations. Its hydro-pneumatic suspension allows it to aim its gun higher or lower than standard tanks, which is useful for targets at high elevations. It also has oxygen generators, which help the engine run at high altitudes.<h2>Project Zorawar</h2><div type="image" title="India Arjuna main battle tank" height="1333" width="1777" msid="101441094" hostid="261" sizebytes="382618"></div>India's army hasn't had a light tank in service since its Soviet-designed PT-76 was retired in 1989.Instead, it relies almost exclusively on its heavily armored <a href="https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/meet-indias-t-90m-bhishma-tank-russian-tech-indian-made-136987" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T-90</a> and <a href="https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/t-72.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T-72</a> tanks, which weigh 43 tons and 46 tons, respectively, and its <a href="https://www.army-technology.com/projects/arjun-mbt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arjun series</a> main battle tanks, which weigh between 58 tons and 68 tons. Those tanks were acquired with Pakistan in mind, and they are better suited for open plains and deserts.India has tried on and off since 1983 to develop a new light tank but has never settled on a model. The Ladakh clash in 2020 — followed by a Chinese military buildup in which the Type 15 operated with comparative ease — prompted new action to acquire a light tank. (One retired Indian general even <a href="https://raksha-anirveda.com/light-tanks-the-himalayan-game-changer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">argued</a> that a lack of light tanks hindered India's ability to deter Chinese aggression in the first place.)In 2021, the Indian Ministry of Defense <a href="https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/RFI-Lt%20Tk%2016%20Apr%20%2021%20%28Final%29%20%281%29_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">requested information</a> from industry about the production of 350 light tanks, each weighing no more than 25 tons and crewed by two to three people. Additional requirements included an autoloader, a remote-controlled machine-gun, the ability to fire "smart munitions" and anti-tank guided missiles, and the ability to add explosive-reactive-armor blocks.<div type="image" title="India army convoy Kashmir Ladakh" height="1710" width="2500" msid="101441098" hostid="261" sizebytes="699856"></div>Initially, there was speculation that India might buy the <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_army_light_armoured_vehicle_uk/2s25_sprut-sd_self-propelled_anti-tank_gun_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description_uk.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2S25 Sprut-SD</a> from Russia, which has <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-light-tank-tender-russians-ready-to-respond-to-indian-army-tender-2987880/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">repeatedly offered</a> to transfer the technology needed to build it. But the Indian government has indicated that it wants a domestic design, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" policy.Late last year, India's Ministry of Defense approved the purchase of 315 tanks, which will compose seven regiments. Indian media has <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/indian-army-concerned-over-chinese-moves-at-lac-may-induct-700-zorawar-light-tanks-12431122.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that India's army may increase the order to nearly 700 tanks.Indian multinational firm Larsen &amp; Toubro <a href="https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indias-zorawar-programme-inches-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was announced</a> as the government's development partner in September, and the company was <a href="https://www.ajaishukla.com/2023/04/l-gets-order-to-build-prototype-of.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">awarded</a> the contract for the first prototype in April. It will feature an 800-horsepower engine made by a German subsidiary of Rolls Royce and a 105 mm gun turret made by a Belgian firm.Indian officials have <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/drdo-light-tank-zorawar-to-be-ready-for-trials-by-year-end-along-china-border/articleshow/100356991.cms?from=mdr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that the first tanks will be ready for trial testing by the end of this year and that the initial order will number 59 units.In what may be a reflection of the opponent the Indian army has in mind for its new light tank, the effort has been called "Project Zorawar," in reference to Zorawar Singh, a general who conquered Ladakh from Chinese rulers in the early 19th century.

India and China are buying new tanks designed to fight on one of the world's highest battlefields

Though the Centre has trumpeted the India-China disengagement along the <keyword id="49399" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control">Line of Actual Control</keyword> (LAC) in Ladakh as a victory, Army veteran Lt. Gen. H.S. Panag called it pragmatic acceptance of weakness and Beijing's 1959 claim. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Gen. Panag claimed that the "disengagement" is happening exactly as per China's 1959 claim line because India has no military capability to alter the situation. However, he said, it is "good for the long term peace" since the disengagement in Ladakh is likely a part of the broader plan for settlement of border disputes between the two countries. The plan, he presumed, will include acceptance of McMohan Line in Northeast with some give and take between New Delhi and Beijing, as per the 1959 proposal. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="80831679" title="India and China begin to disengage from friction areas along the border — terms and conditions apply" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> In 1959, China's then Prime Minister Zhou Enlai had proposed to the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru that the armies of both the countries withdraw 20 kms from the McMohan Line in the East and from the line up to which each side exercised actual control in the West. Through its intrusions since May, China has already reached the 1959 claim line in Depsang and north of Pangong Tso, according to Panag. The militaries of both sides had been locked in a faceoff along the same line except Demchok, an inhabited area. The 1959 Claim Line, he said, is a marvel of cartography to protect Aksai Chin and other areas seized by China in the 1950s. "If we attempt to get back those areas, Chinese can by the configuration of the 1959 claim line, close certain areas and usurp more of our territory. For example, at the North of Pangong Tso from where all our routes go to Hot Springs and Gogla, the distance from the northern edge of the Pangong Tso to the Konkala Pass (Hot Springs and Gogla area) is 100 kms. They have taken up the area up to Finger 4. So if they come another 30 to 40 kms forward and choke us, then this 100 kms will also go." "Similarly, the way they are poised in the DBO sector, no matter how many troops you put, that area is like a piece of cake. It will fall within 48 hours. The DBO airfield is within 10 kms of the 59 claim line, which is also the LAC there in the northern part of the DBO sector." The veteran defence analyst said that in the Southern part of Ladakh, India had crossed the 59 claim line and used to patrol. "But now they have stopped us from patrolling. So they have reached the 59 claim line and we are not in a position to vacate them militarily." Panag, whose defence analyses are read widely, a few months ago had claimed that by crossing the LAC, Chinese had gained everything and India lost everything. He had also predicted that India would lose the commanding heights of the Kailash range to China. "But I have revised my assessment now to say that the disengagement is the forerunner of a macro plan which may lead to an all-encompassing agreement where we accept the 59 claim line in Ladakh with buffer zones to save face and also a demilitarised zone of 20 kms." He said it was the most pragmatic solution for India to accept the '59 Claim Line with buffer zones. "Buffer zones in the Depsang plain, Pangong will not be patrolled or occupied and no infrastructure will be developed. So to that end, nothing has changed," Lt. Gen. Panag argued. However, buffer zones will be in the lower portion, the southern half of the Depsang plain, that is about 800 sq kms where Chinese have been patrolling, 20 kms east-west depth and 30-40 kms north-south. In Pangong Tso, its about 50-60 kms. "So overall, roughly 800 to 1,000 kms will become buffer zones. Also, buffer zones may come up in other areas where there is some small dispute like in Chumar," he said. This he said would be the first part of the plan and the rest of the plan will unravel in the next couple of weeks. The second part of the agreement, he said, will include a demilitarised zone of 20 kms on either side of the new LACï¿½1959 claim line. "This is what China had offered in 1959 and they will give up the Northeast," he said. At the same time, Gen. Panag, however said that the advantage goes to China because they have better infrastructure and they can quickly enter the area. "But then we can put some troops which can preempt it. Last year, we could not preempt it but that was our lapse. We were hesitant; we did not read the Chinese right." However, domestically, he said, there is no problem, he said with an element of sarcasm. "The government has already sold the idea that nothing much has happened and Modi Ji is very popular. The neo-nationalists have gone against their own creed (territory being important to the nation) and launched propaganda that nothing has happened. It has been done through denial, opacity, bluff, bluster and obfuscation." In the present situation, it is the best bet if it leads to peace for another 30 years, Panag said, arguing that tensions flared up between the two Asian giants 27 years after the last time they came to such an agreement in 1993. "If we had the capability, China would have never done this. It happened because they knew our weakness," he said. "If we get another 30 years, then we will be in a position to create the desired military capability, build up our economy, reduce the gap, not that we can catch up with China but to the extent between the US and China. There is still a huge gap between the US and China but China is no longer a pushover for the US. What China gains out of it is that if there is no quarrel left with India, New Delhi has no reason to ally with the US to contest China." SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/india-and-china-begin-to-disengage-from-friction-areas-along-the-border/articleshow/80831679.cms">India and China begin to disengage from friction areas along the border — terms and conditions apply</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/twitter-faces-a-political-disaster-in-india-where-its-taking-heat-from-both-the-government-and-protesters-over-the-suspension-of-accounts/articleshow/80790166.cms">Twitter faces a political disaster in India, where it's taking heat from both the government and protesters over the suspension of accounts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/at-least-35000-gamers-were-complaining-when-ps4-and-ps5-network-went-down-for-an-hour-a-little-after-dawn/articleshow/80826872.cms">How big is Playstation in India⁠ — at least 35,000 gamers were complaining when PS4 and PS5 network went down for an hour a little after dawn</a>

India's disengagement plan looks a lot like China's 1959 claim on the LAC, according to Indian Army veteran H.S. Panag

The talks between military representatives of India and China to discuss disengagement in the Depsang plains north of Galwan area started on Saturday morning near the <keyword id="49399" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control">Line of Actual Control</keyword>, sources said. The sources said that the Major General-level talks between Indian and Chinese armies is taking place at Daulat Beg Oldie for the de-escalation of troops and material in the Depsang plains. General Officer Commanding of 3 Mountain Division, Major General Abhijit Bapat, is leading the talks from the Indian side. The main agenda of the meeting is to address the situation in the Depsang plains that has seen big mobilisation of around 15,000 Chinese troops opposite Depsang. The Depsang plains is a table-top plateau to the north of Galwan and remains a major hotspot due to its strategic location since it provides access to the logistical hub and airstrip at Daulat Beg Oldie and the critical Karakoram Pass in the north. The meeting will seek to work out a system of pulling back troops and de-escalation from the 900 sq km plains situated at an altitude of 16,000 feet. The <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian Army</keyword> holds a majority of the Depsang plains area while the People's Liberation Army holds its eastern edge. Chinese troops are concentrating on an area called 'Bottleneck', 25 km from the strategic airfield at Daulat Beg Oldie. The troops on either side are denying patrolling rights to each other in the "grey zone" areas, where the perception of the Line of Actual Control varies by several kilometres. Saturday's meeting is the outcome of the Lieutenant General-level meetings, five of which have been conducted since June 6. Depsang plains has seen two major stand-offs in 2013 and 2014, besides dozens of face-offs annually when the troops of the two countries come close while patrolling. In the meantime, the Indian government has witnessed that China's commitment to disengagement at the Pangong Tso lake remains "unsatisfactory". India has directed its armed forces to prepare for a long haul.

Indian and Chinese army hold fresh talks to discuss disengagement in Depsang plains

<ul><li>“Our armed forces are always ready to stop any attempt of transgression at our borders,” <keyword id="6355121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajnath-singh" source="Orion">Rajnath Singh</keyword> told the Lok Sabha. </li><li>Indian and <keyword id="151196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chinese-troops" source="Orion">Chinese troops</keyword> clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in <keyword id="12277618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tawang-sector" source="Orion">Tawang sector</keyword> of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9. </li><li>The face-off resulted in "minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides", the Indian Army said on Monday. </li></ul>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that timely intervention by Indian Army stopped the Chinese PLA troops from encroaching on the country's territory during the December 9 face-off at Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector. Speaking in the Lok Sabha today, the Defence Minister said that Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) PLA troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts. "On December 9, 2022 in the Yangtse area of Tawang sector PLA troops encroached upon and attempted to change status quo. This attempt was tackled by our troops in a determined manner. There was fist fight in during this face-off as well. Our troops bravely stopped PLA from encroaching upon our territory and forced them to go back to their post," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha. The minister said that the issue had been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. "After this incident, on December 11, the local commander of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart under the established system and discussed this incident. The Chinese side was refused all such actions and told to maintain peace at the border," Singh told the Lok Sabha. The Defence Minister said that no <keyword id="1052484" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-troops" source="Orion">Indian troops</keyword> were killed or seriously injured in the incident. Singh said, "In this face-off, a few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I'd like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations." "This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guard our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it," Rajnath Singh said. "I am confident this House will respect the capability, valour and commitment of our armed forces, Singh said. On Monday the Indian Army in a statement said: "On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides." "Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up of the incident, own (Indian) commander in the area held a flag meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity," it said. Opposition members earlier today created a ruckus in Parliament over the clash between troops of India and China. Soon after Rajnath Singh's statement, Opposition leaders staged a walkout from Lok Sabha.

No loss of life or serious injury to our soldiers: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tawang clash

<ul><li>Speaking in the <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> today, the Defence Minister said that Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) PLA troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts.</li><li>The minister said that the issue had been taken up with <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword> through diplomatic channels. </li><li>He further said that no Indian troops were killed or seriously injured in the incident.</li></ul>Defence Minister <keyword id="6355121" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajnath-singh" source="Orion">Rajnath Singh</keyword> on Tuesday said that timely intervention by Indian Army stopped the Chinese PLA troops from encroaching on the country's territory during the December 9 face-off at Arunachal Pradesh's <keyword id="61282" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tawang" source="Orion">Tawang</keyword> sector. Speaking in the Lok Sabha today, the Defence Minister said that Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) PLA troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts. "On December 9, 2022 in the Yangtse area of Tawang sector PLA troops encroached upon and attempted to change status quo. This attempt was tackled by our troops in a determined manner. There was fist fight in during this face-off as well. Our troops bravely stopped PLA from encroaching upon our territory and forced them to go back to their post," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha. The minister said that the issue had been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. "After this incident, on December 11, the local commander of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart under the established system and discussed this incident. The Chinese side was refused all such actions and told to maintain peace at the border," Singh told the Lok Sabha. The Defence Minister said that no Indian troops were killed or seriously injured in the incident. Singh said, "In this face-off, a few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I'd like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations." "This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guard our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it," Rajnath Singh said. "I am confident this House will respect the capability, valour and commitment of our armed forces, Singh said. On Monday the Indian Army in a statement said: "On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides." "Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up of the incident, own (Indian) commander in the area held a flag meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity," it said. Opposition members earlier today created a ruckus in <keyword id="6354721" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="parliament" source="Orion">Parliament</keyword> over the clash between troops of India and China. Soon after Rajnath Singh's statement, Opposition leaders staged a walkout from Lok Sabha. (ANI) SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-declines-20-paise-to-82-71-against-us-dollar-in-early-trade/articleshow/96188516.cms">Rupee declines 20 paise to 82.71 against US dollar in early trade</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indian-markets-open-higher-as-retail-inflation-eases-paytm-icici-bank-dalmia-bharat-among-stocks-to-watch-out-for/articleshow/96188313.cms">Indian markets open higher as retail inflation eases — Paytm, ICICI Bank, Dalmia Bharat among stocks to watch out for</a>

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make statement in Parliament on India-China troops clash in Tawang

By K J M Varma Beijing, July 15 () China on Wednesday said the fourth Commander-level talks between Indian and Chinese militaries to ease tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh have reached "progress" on promoting "further disengagement" of the border troops to de-escalate tensions. During the course of the intense and complex negotiations between senior commanders of the two armies that lasted nearly 15 hours, the Indian delegation apprised the Chinese People's Liberation Army about the "red lines" and conveyed that the onus was largely on China to improve the overall situation in the region, government sources said in New Delhi. When asked for an update on Tuesday's military-level talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here that both sides reached progress for promoting further disengagement of the border troops at the Western Sector. "On July 14, border troops of China and India held the 4th round of Commander-level talks, building on the consensus of the previous three rounds and the implementation of relevant work has reached progress on promoting further disengagement between troops at the Western Sector of the boundary and de-escalating tensions," she said. "We hope that India can work with China to implement our consensus with real actions and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas," Hua said. The Indian delegation was led by Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, while the Chinese side was headed by the commander of the South Xinjiang military region Maj Gen Liu Lin. The Lt General-level talks took place days after implementation of the first phase of the disengagement process from the friction points. The PLA has already completed pulling back troops from Gogra, Hot Springs and Galwan Valley and significantly thinned down its presence in the ridgeline of Finger Four in the Pangong Tso area in the last one week as demanded by India. The Indian and Chinese armies were locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh since May 5. The tension escalated after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. KJV AKJ GSN AKJ

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India's disengagement plan looks a lot like China's 1959 claim on the LAC, according to Indian Army veteran H.S. Panag

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Indian and Chinese army hold fresh talks to discuss disengagement in Depsang plains

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make statement in Parliament on India-China troops clash in Tawang

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