India Needs to be Firm in face of Chinese Threat

Context: Firm response from India is needed to counter Chinese intrusion on the LAC to protect vital areas in the eastern Ladakh region.

Distinct areas in eastern Ladakh which need to be protected from Chinese intrusion: 

• Sub Sector North (SSN): Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) and the Karakoram Pass are located in this sector. This area is a high altitude plateau conducive for the deployment of mechanised forces.
• Areas south of Depsang and north of Pangong Tso: The confluence of Galwan with Shyok needs to be held with adequate strength to protect the Darbuk-Shyok-DBO road. 
• Pangong Tso-Lukung: Fingers 1 to 8 are located on the northern banks of the lake and the road along this bank starts from Finger 5 and runs eastwards to meet the western highway.
• Chushul-Dungti-Demchok: Areas north of the lake are sensitive to Chinese due to the ingress routes coming along the roads and tracks emanating from the western highway.

Way Forward:

• Continuing infrastructure development: Darbuk-Shyok-DBO road in the SSN and must be completed soon. Feeder roads going towards the LAC could wait.
• Procuring technology to tackle permafrost in the region.
• Protection to Sasoma-Murgo axis: by timely induction of forces earmarked for SSN, including mechanized forces.
• Unified intelligence inputs: for formations like aerial, space, and ground-based resources to complement the desired area coverage.
• Re-examine operational philosophy: to include the desired force levels to be maintained for physical occupation of vital areas.
• Quid pro quo (QPQ): undertaken along LAC in response to the present Chinese adventurism.