NEW DELHI: India is looking to restart the stalled troop disengagement process in eastern Ladakh with China, but is clearly taking no chances by also constructing insulated shelters and procuring foreign and domestic specialised clothing and gear for its soldiers for the long winter deployment ahead.
The high-powered China Study Group (CSG), which includes NSA Ajit Doval and foreign minister S Jaishankar, will meet on Tuesday to examine the fresh modalities and time-lines for troop disengagement discussed in the fifth round of military dialogue between the two sides.
At the over 10-hour-long meeting between 14 Corps commander Lt General Harinder Singh and South Xinjiang Military District chief Major General Liu Lin on Sunday, India reiterated its demand for completing the disengagement at Pangong Tso and Patrolling Point-14 (PP-14) in Gogra. “But final approvals have to be given by the political leadership on both sides,” said a source.
The overall mood in the Indian security establishment remains grim. The Army has kicked off massive “advance winter stocking” for rations and other essential supplies. Sources said construction of insulated habitats for troops, including pre-fabricated huts, Arctic tents and large containers, is also now under way. Fuel has also bee stocked.
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