In recent developments regarding the Indo-China tensions, India has shifted as many as 50,000 troops to the China border in a historic move. The move comes at a time where both the sides have met at a stalemate in the matters of disengagement process. Earlier this year, squadrons of fighter jets have also been deployed to three regions, including the Chinese border.
Details
In a major defence strategic move, India has redirected as many as 50,000 troops to the Chinese border and has rolled the dice towards having an offensive military posture against the Chinese. According to a Bloomberg report, India has approximately 2,00,000 troops focused on the Chinese border. The two lakh soldiers on the borders is a sharp increase of over 40% from 2020.
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“Offensive Defence” Strategy
According to sources familiar with the matter, the redeployment of the 50,000 troops to the Chinese border will give Indian side more choice and leeway to seize Chinese side of territory if situation calls for it. This strategy is called “offensive defence”. The strategy also includes airlifting of soldiers using helicopters from one valley to other. The soldiers are airlifted along with artillery pieces such as M777 Howitzer.
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The Chinese Threat
Amid the news of initial stages of disengagement that emerged in April this year, India detected Chinese side building bunkers to hide fighter jets, buildings, airfields and more on the Tibet border. The People’s Liberation Army has also been reported adding long range tanks, rockets, fighter jets, and artilleries in its arsenal.
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“Current situation stable, Actions should ease the situation”: China
Meanwhile, Wang Wenbin spoke in Beijing about the deployment and said-
“The current situation on the border between China and India is generally stable, and the two sides are negotiating to resolve relevant border issues. In this context, the words, deeds and military deployments of relevant military and political leaders should help ease the situation and increase mutual trust between the two sides, not the other way around.”
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visits Ladakh
It should be noted that earlier on June 27, India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh was reported to have visited Ladakh along with Army Chief General M.M. Naravane and other senior military officials. This was Singh’s first visit to the disputed region of Ladakh since the India and Chinese side was engaged in disengagement talks.
To combat the Chinese side, India has been enhancing its arsenal and has been taking advantageous positions on the border. In the Tibetan plateau’s populated area, Indian soldiers with machine guns were reported joining lightly armed officers.
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Rafale Jets Deployed at Arunachal Pradesh
Further, On the eastern front of the nation, where majority of the 1962 Indo-China war took place at, new Rafale jets are being deployed. These French-made jets have been newly acquired by the nation and are armed with long-range missiles. With the Rafale jets, Indian army men in Arunachal Pradesh will receive its much-needed support.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has also been proactive in positioning itself as a formidable side against the world’s second biggest economy. The Navy has been reported putting its war vessels along the key lanes. According to a Bloomberg report, the current efforts pertain to identifying Chinese energy and trade routes and flows in and out of China.
