Tension remains: India failed to reduce tension on border with China in Ladakh
NEW DELHI, (BM) – India’s efforts to de-escalate tensions with China on the line of effective control (LAC) in East Ladakh have so far failed. This was reported on Monday by the Hindustan Times, citing military sources, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.
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“Two months after the clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, the situation in this area remains tense. The Indian-Chinese negotiations at the military and diplomatic level did not lead to a mitigation of the situation,” sources in Indian military circles told the publication.
According to them, “despite the agreements reached on a phased withdrawal of troops, they continue to remain in their positions.” “This makes the situation in eastern Ladakh dangerous and unpredictable,” the sources indicated. “It is becoming increasingly apparent that the army groups of India and China in Ladakh are likely to maintain their former deployment until winter.”
Last month, the Hindustan Times recalls, in response to the concentration of units of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA), India deployed three army divisions and two regiments of T-90 tanks to the region. New Delhi is currently considering acquiring Predator strike drones from the United States to increase the combat capabilities of its troops in the LAC zone.
India intends to acquire American MQ-9 Reaper attack drones
As we reported earlier today American-made Predator-B reconnaissance and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Predator-B (MQ-9 Reaper) intend to acquire the armed forces of India.
India informed the American side of its interest. The publication notes the relevance of the purchase against the backdrop of a confrontation with China, which is armed with an attack drone Wing Loong II.
Read more: India intends to acquire American MQ-9 Reaper attack drones
The United States offered India to buy 30 $ Sea Guardian UAVs, which are unarmed MQ-9 Reaper analogues intended for the navy, for $ 4 billion. However, Indian military experts believe: if you buy such an expensive weapon, then in a full-fledged strike version.
According to the publication, the United States may be afraid to supply MQ-9 Reaper drones, due to the possible leakage of technology to Russia, another key supplier of weapons to India.
Indian-made MALE Rustom drones are under development and will not carry shock weapons. However, a number of tests were unsuccessful. The Defense Research and Development Organization of India (DRDO) plans to release a prototype of the MALE Rustom drone by the end of 2020.
India sent again attacking Apache helicopters to the conflict zone in Ladakh
Yeterday on July 5 we reported that Indian Armed Forces deployed for second time the Apache combat helicopters to the border conflict region with China near Lake Pangong Tso in the Ladakh region.
In the area of the border conflict between India and China, the Apache combat helicopters of the Indian Air Force were seen. They made a demonstrative flight over a mountainous area near Lake Pangong Tso in the Ladakh region. It is worth noting that combat helicopters of this type are very well suited for attacking the enemy in mountainous terrain.
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However, it is worth noting that both sides have not yet used firearms and, especially, military equipment, during the conflict. Both India and China are still trying to resolve the dispute through negotiations. The Indian side is demanding the withdrawal of Chinese troops from the disputed territory, as well as the withdrawal of additional units deployed by the Chinese in the border areas.
US and Russia are trying to prevent a war between India and China
US President Donald Trump said on June 21 that the American side is negotiating with India and China and is trying to help these countries overcome problems in relations.
“We are negotiating with India, we are negotiating with China. They have big problems,” Trump quotes TASS.
He noted that the situation was “very tough” and that India and China had already reached physical clashes.
“We will try to help them,” the American leader added.
Earlier, a spokesman for the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, said that Moscow hoped that India and China would show diplomatic and political wisdom in order to prevent new exacerbations.
“Of course, we are worried about this incident, and we hope and are confident that both New Delhi and Beijing will show diplomatic and political wisdom so that they can independently find out wording without interference from any states that will allow them to avoid further such exacerbations,” said a Kremlin spokesman.
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Gathering of military forces
China began deployment of large military group to the border with India, which, in particular, including many tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and other armored vehicles.
On published footage is visible countless infantry fighting vehicles waiting to be dispatched on railway platforms, Type-96 tanks on tractors, as well as the arrival of units at the deployment site.
At the same time, a large convoy of Indian military trucks was deployed towards the disputed region.
What happened?
On the night of June 15-16, clashes between the Indian and Chinese military occurred in the area of the Galvan River in the Union territory of Ladakh. According to Indian army sources cited by local media, no firearms were used – sticks and stones were used. At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed, 76 wounded, sources in the Indian army also claim that about 45 Chinese soldiers were killed and wounded.
The situation in Ladakh escalated after clashes took place in early May with the participation of about 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers. More than 100 people were injured on both sides. Subsequently, India and China said they were making efforts to maintain stability.
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