India’s firm message to China: Pullback of troops is non-negotiable
New Delhi: The last round of talks between Indian and Chinese military commanders saw the Indian side resolutely and firmly convey that Chinese troops need to vacate intrusions in the Pangong Tso area and nothing short of restoration of pre-May 5 status quo will do.
The lengthy discussions on Tuesday were held, as previous exchanges, in a cordial manner but the Indian messaging was insistent in underlining that a Chinese pullback from areas where the People’s Liberation Army has intruded is simply non-negotiable. The tonality of the conversation would not leave any doubt on this score, said a source. Indian commanders made the bottom line unambiguously clear in the course of the talks with China.
The unsaid signal to China is fairly evident that India will not shirk from the use of force, and is in fact very well prepared in this respect, in the event of a confrontation as it seeks restoration of status quo. The readiness to use military muscle comes even as India pursues a negotiated easing of tensions along the Line of Actual Control.
The Indian position has found support in several interactions with other countries even if there is no expectation or desire for any direct intervention.
