New Delhi: “Cordial interaction,” seems to be the flavour of the month on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as Indian and Chinese troops have met several times in late November and early this month.
Most meetings have been very brief.
- In Doka La, Arunachal Pradesh, on December 4, at 8.30 am, an Indian contingent met six PLA soldiers, including an officer.
- At Lungro La, also in the same region, at the same time, Indian soldiers met a group of PLA soldiers, including an officer, for about half an hour.
- That very day, in the Thigsi Valley area, Indian soldiers met ten PLA soldiers for a few minutes around 7.30 am.
- The meetings were held last month as well. There was a “cordial interaction” at Lungro La with two officers and four men of the PLA on November 23.
- At the Asaphila Pass on the same day, there was a meeting around 8 am where three PLA officers and 16 men were present.
- On the same day, at the same time Indian Armymen interacted with a PLA officer and 14 men.
Highly placed officials said this was a positive sign as these meetings, however brief, help to bring confidence and ensure that local problems are resolved without any difficulties. Besides, there’s been a delegation leader level flag meet on 29/11 and a station commander level meeting two days later in the western sector.
Similarly, and the cold weather may be a reason, the number of transgressions have gone down significantly. In a week in late-November to early December, the number of transgressions at the same time two years ago was 30-40 in eight of the first nine months. This year, it’s been four or less every month. In January, February, March, July, September and November, there’s been only one in the western sector. And this too happens when the Chinese get to their patrolling line as decided. The Indian army does the same.
In the middle sector, in the same period, there has been none in November and December after a spike in September and in the East, November and December has been quiet after a couple of transgressions in the Dichu and Asaphila areas on 27 and 29 November respectively.
In the air, a significant moment was the spotting of a balloon shaped flying object (described as a UFO) in Harsil, Uttarakhand, on December 2, at around 4 pm and a possible UFO, the day before.
