India, China Tensions: Has China Uprooted Its Tents in the Gwalior Valley?


Amid reports of Indian and Chinese troops withdrawing, a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the two countries were moving towards easing tensions on the border. However, China did not say in its statement whether its military had retreated or not.

Reuters quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Xiao Lijian as saying: "According to Indian media reports, China has retreated from the Gulwan Valley, where the two countries clashed, with their tents and equipment. Can you confirm that? '

In response, Xiao Lijian said: "Chinese and Indian military personnel held the third round of commander-level talks on June 30. Both sides agreed to implement what has been agreed in the last two rounds of command-level talks. We have taken effective measures to reduce border tensions. We hope that India will maintain the same distance on its part, take strict steps to implement the agreement reached between the two countries, stay in touch with China through military and diplomatic channels and He will continue to work with China to reduce tensions in the border areas.

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According to Reuters, the steps taken on Monday were important in easing tensions between India and China over the LAC, but its military vigilance, its preparations and long-term preparations in the mountainous region of Ladakh It won't have much effect.

Experts say the military must be prepared to deal with new realities on the border where blood was shed last month after more than five decades.

The main reason for this is the deep mistrust between the two armies caused by the incidents on the border in the last nine weeks.


Despite violent clashes in the Gulwan Valley on June 15, the two countries' forces began the withdrawal process in the Gulwan sector after commander-level talks.

The wounds of the violence in the Gulwan Valley are still fresh and will take time to heal. India is said to be doubly cautious in easing tensions between the two countries. This means that the whole process can take a long time.

Reuters quoted a senior military official as saying it could take two to three weeks for initial steps to be taken in tense areas. Only then will there be a meeting between the army commanders and then the next step will be taken. This means that if not for months, then the deployment of the army will continue for a few weeks.

The military is also concerned that despite initial steps being taken, as long as the Chinese military is present in large numbers near the LAC, China could move in the opposite direction at any time. Therefore, the Indian Army will not show leniency on its part, nor will it think of reducing the number of troops from these areas.

The army and large weapons will be gradually removed, depending on how many troops or weapons are being removed from the other side. Talks between Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Dobhal and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi took place on Sunday. The two countries agreed to withdraw troops and establish peace on the border.


Dobhal Orwang had earlier met in 2018 and 2019. Foreign Minister SSJ Shankar also held talks with Wang Yi on June 17, two days after 20 soldiers were killed in the Gulwan Valley.

In a statement on Monday, the Indian Foreign Ministry said Dobhal and Wang had agreed to expedite the process of easing tensions on the LAC and end the process soon.

In its official statement, the Foreign Ministry said that "both sides will ensure de-escalation in a phased manner."

The State Department said both sides "reiterated that the LAC should be strictly respected" and "unilateral action should not be taken to change the ongoing situation" and "no future We should also try to avoid any incident that could create unrest and instability in the border areas.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two sides welcomed the progress made in recent military and diplomatic meetings, agreed to continue talks and consultations, and ensure a consensus reached at the commander level. Urges immediate action