Focus on pullback at Hot Springs area amid increased Chinese deployment

India and China are likely to hold the 13th round of Corps Commander-level talks next week aimed at resolving the standoff in eastern Ladakh, said Army Chief General Manoj Naravane on Saturday. The focus would be on working out a disengagement plan from Hot Springs area among others.

“The talks have been going on for more than a year now… We are hopeful to have the 13th round of talks very soon, perhaps as soon as next week i.e. the second week of October,” Gen. Naravane told news agency ANI in Leh during his two day visit to forward areas of Ladakh.

“We are confident that as we discuss things with each other we will be able to reach a consensus on how this disengagement is to take place, and by and by all the friction points get resolved,” he stated.

More Chinese Troops

Stating that China has deployed troops in considerable numbers all across eastern Ladakh and Northern front right up to India’s Eastern Command, the Army Chief said, “Definitely there has been an increase in their deployment in the forward areas, which remains a matter of concern for us.”

However, he added that the Army is monitoring all the Chinese developments and based on inputs, was carrying out matching developments in terms of infrastructure. “At the moment, we are quite well poised to meet any eventuality,” he said.