Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. YK Joshi says in an interview with The Indian Express that getting the Chinese to withdraw behind India’s claim line at Finger 8 is a “great success” for India.
Lt General Y K Joshi: ‘Tanks at Rechin La, Rezang La turned tables on PLA
Can you explain the details of the disengagement process agreed between the Indian Army and the PLA in East Ladakh? How much of the disconnect has so far taken place at the two agreed points, on the north and south banks of Pangong Tso? How long will the disconnection take?
Disconnection consists of four steps with detailed schedules. Each step must be accompanied by continuous monitoring and verification.
Step 1 of the disconnect involves the shielded and mechanized units disconnecting and backing up past the designated lines. Steps 2 and 3 include the infantry movement from the north and south banks and step 4 has the Kailash Range disconnect. Step 2 is nearing completion.
Progress so far has been satisfactory and PLA has shown sincerity of purpose. The PLA has returned more than 200 tanks and artillery pieces. This activity has been verified through satellite images and Photo Recce Missions of the Air Force. It can be seen from the lookouts that the PLA has begun to remove the shelters, dismantle the fortifications and helipads. Finger 5 jetty has been removed and related infrastructure removed. It was agreed that all the structures created from April will be removed and it has adhered to this commitment.
After these four steps are completed and confirmed with each other through the Flag Meetings, another round of Corps Commander level meeting will take place within 48 hours that will set the tone for the next phase of disconnection. . This is where the resolution of the problems at the friction points of equilibrium will be decided.
How long ago has the PLA been removed behind the lines? And how far have we gone? What will be the level of residual force?
The agreement provides for the PLA to return to the lines along with its known permanent camps that existed before April 2020. Say, for example, in the case of North Bank, the PLA has to move east behind Finger 8.
So far, the PLA has moved from LAC to the [Chinese] Western Highway which is about 100 km deep. Gradually, the PLA formations are expected to return to their peacetime locations, which are 400 – 1000 km from LAC. In turn, we are also honoring the separation agreement reached between the Indian Army and the PLA, as well as the commitments made during the talks at the level of the Ninth Corps Commanders in terms of the corresponding return of equipment and troops.
Lieutenant General Joshi (left) with soldiers in Ladakh.
In regards to our post-disengagement residual strength level, this will be based on our review of our defense architecture in the North Theater. Let me assure you that we will have adequate levels of force in eastern Ladakh to protect against any eventuality.
What is the verification mechanism?
The schedule of activities in stages has been prepared. At the beginning of the day, a flag meeting is held to coordinate the day’s activities by the PLA and the Indian Army. During the day, disconnection activities are monitored from the viewpoints where we have our cameras. We keep UAVs in the air. Dedicated support in terms of satellite images and Air Force photo reconnaissance missions is available for verification of activities in-depth areas. At the end of the day, hotline messages are exchanged to confirm that each side has done its part. A review of the implementation of the disengagement plan is also conducted during the flag meeting the next day and controversial issues if any are raised and discussed. Only after all the issues have been resolved, do we move on to the next stage. So far, the disconnect has been smooth and satisfying.
For the first time in a confrontation with the PLA in LAC in any sector, the agreement has been put in writing, ratified by higher headquarters, and then put into effect. Every day twice we are verifying each untying action and confirming during Flag Meetings. Therefore, it is a very deliberate process that is being adopted, leaving no room for doubt or non-adherence.
In the Northern Bank, a buffer zone has been created between fingers 4 and 8. The Indian Army cannot patrol this area nor the PLA. There is concern that India has ceded patrol/land rights from finger 4 to finger 8, which is where our claim line is. How do you explain this buffer zone creation?
Is vacating the heights, which according to the Defense Minister are strategically important points and helped us maintain the advantage, is it a good idea for what we have in exchange on the north bank?
As is known, PLA was occupying areas up to finger 4 and the heights dominating finger 4 until August 29/30. Five rounds of talks and compromises had taken place at other levels, the PLA did not agree to withdraw from North Bank. We executed a quid pro quo action on the night of August 29/30, occupying the most dominant features of the Rechin La-Rezang La complex in the Kailash Mountain Range, thus dominating even the garrison and areas of Moldo in depth. In a simultaneous action, we also occupied the heights dominating the PLA positions along with Finger 4. We were able to place tanks at Rechin La and Rezang La, which was previously unthinkable. This turned the tables on the EPL and brought them to the negotiating tables. The PLA still hoped that the Indian Army would give in and they could hold the areas in North Bank. In the next three conversations at the corps commander level, they realized that nothing less than the status quo before April 2020 would be acceptable to us. This explains the advantage achieved by a well-planned, rehearsed, and executed operation. There was a total surprise. I give all the credit to the junior leaders who led and carried out this operation creating the influence for the negotiations and finally the PLA agreed to retract their positions on all sticking points and hopefully demobilized again to places of peace permanent. Thus, the purpose behind occupying heights along the Kailash Range will be achieved. The restoration of the status quo before April 2020 in these areas means that the PLA and Indian troops return to positions in April 2020.
Should we have stayed on the heights of Southern Bank to negotiate a withdrawal from the other sticking points?
The disconnection plan, from the beginning, will be carried out in stages. Once phase I disengagement is complete, a Corps Commander level meeting is scheduled within 48 hours to discuss disengagement modalities at other points of friction. What must be understood is that the Kailash Range was occupied with the purpose of pushing the negotiations towards disengagement. Having achieved the purpose of having the PLA retract from North Bank on our terms, there was no point in extending this advantage in perpetuity. The Kailash Range disconnection is part of the whole and not an isolated activity. The disconnect sequencing was intended to ensure that areas, where troops are in close proximity, are disconnected first. It is in this light that the Kailash Range disconnection in Step 4 of Phase 1 was planned.
How do we know that the Chinese will not return to finger areas 4 through 8 as easily as they left? How are you going to make sure they don’t come back in April?
The very premise of the disengagement was based on the commitment that the PLA will not occupy these places again. After agreeing to disengagement, I do not anticipate that the PLA will retract its commitment. However, in the event of a situation contrary to this belief, we will be in a position to respond to it in an appropriate and proportionate manner. We have our plans in place, the levels of force, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance established, and, above all, the will to thwart any such attempt.
Since the clash in May 2020, the Indian army has developed large-scale infrastructure. From roads to accommodation and logistics, we have created the conditions for rapid mobilization and maintenance of a high level of force. Today we have approximately 90,000 soldiers in eastern Ladakh to counter any misadventures carried out by the PLA in April last year. Therefore, we are in a position to counteract any contingency that may be created. Depending on the actions of the PLA, that is, the disconnection followed by a reduction, we will make decisions about what levels of force will be maintained. Let me assure you that the Indian Army has never let the nation down and we will do our best to maintain the sanctity and sovereignty of our homeland.
She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.