No sign of Chinese troops evacuating Indian territory yet

As India and China downplay the border skirmish issue, claiming that conflict has been resolved at commander level, tension continued to brew in multiple spots of eastern Ladakh. The territory is considered as a disputed region between India and China.

The recent tension escalated with India building infrastructure within its claimed region close to the border. While the initial focus was on Pangong Tso Lake, later the Chinese have had objected construction being carried out at Galawan Valley. 

Meanwhile, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval are closely monitoring the situation, and India has made its stance clear – it will continue to “defend its interests resolutely” and will continue to build the infrastructure.

About 80 to 100 tents have sprung up on the Chinese side, and nearly 60 on the Indian side, the Reuters news agency reported based on information from the Indian officials.

“China is committed to safeguarding the security of its national territorial sovereignty, as well as safeguarding peace and stability in the China-India border areas,” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.

“All Indian activities are entirely on the Indian side of the LAC. It is the Chinese side that has recently undertaken activity hindering India’s normal patrolling patterns,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said.

Chinese President Xi Jinxing amidst the tensions, had asked the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to prepare for the war, adding more tensions to the present situation. President Donald Trump had also offered to resolve the dispute through mediation or arbitration through a tweet.

At least 10,000 PLA soldiers are now believed to be camping on what Indian territory – Pangong Tso Lake, Galwan Valley and Demchok in Ladakh, and Nathu La in Sikkim, according to the Indian media reports.

Till now there is no sign of Chinese troops evacuating from the Indian claimed territory yet.