Indian forces now more vigilant; Chinese patrols more aggressive

There has been a marginal increase in transgressions this year by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) along the disputed Sino-Indian border compared to 2016, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

The official said there was a 20-25% increase in transgressions by the Chinese PLA till May this year, particularly in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. On an average around 300 transgressions are reported along the China border due to “difference in perception.”

Long range patrols

Over the years both sides have developed a strategy of sending long patrols into disputed areas in summer months to assert their claims for sovereignty. According to sources, these patrols are undertaken at eight of the key disputed locations, mostly in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh and are believed to enjoy political sanction.

There are two possible explanations for the increase this year. First, Indian troops have improved their observation of the presence of Chinese patrols in disputed areas. Second, the Chinese have stepped up border patrols as part of an aggressive posture along the border.

The stand-off between the Indian army and the Chinese PLA at Doklam on the China-Sikkim-Bhutan tri-junction near Nathu La has now continued for over 20 days. Earlier, an official had said the stand-off was an attempt by China to “exert” itself in areas, which were not prone to transgressions or disputes.

Army seeks control

The Army, which is posted with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force along the China border, has been seeking full operational control for the past few years. The ITBP is a central armed police force, under the administrative control of Home Ministry. \“We have said no to the proposal as the ITBP is a central force. As of now, there is no movement on the proposal and we would oppose any such move,” said a senior Home Ministry official.

Along the Ladakh border, India sticks mostly to a boundary drawn by British civil servant W.H. Johnson in 1865, which showed Aksai Chin as part of J&K. China disputes this claim and in the 1950s and built a road connecting Xinjiang and Tibet which ran through Aksai Chin. In northeast India, New Delhi sticks to the McMahon Line. China claims that McMahon Line has no legal standing and claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet.