Indian-Chinese Armies reach consensus to disengage

The senior military commanders in India and China have arrived to a consensus to disengage their forces in the Ladakh region.

Highlights

The Galwan Valley encroachments of the Chinese troops in the valley led to violent clashes between India and China. India has been firm in its demand that the Chinese forces should back off its intrusion. The troops will cease fire and normalcy is to be returned in the regions of Ladakh and Galwan valley.

However, the disengagement around Pangong Tso lake has been left for a future date.

Background

The friction between Indian and Chinese armies have been high in the patrolling points of Galwan valley, banks of Pangong Tso and hot springs. China has been fortifying the Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh. Countering to these measures, India recently begun road construction in the region that triggered the recent stand off.

Pangong Tso lake

The Pangong Tso is a endorheic lake. Endorheic is a limited drainage basin that retains water and allows no outflows to external bodies. On the other hand, exorheic regions flows into oceans.

The lake is under the process of being identified as wetland of international importance under Ramsar Convention. If agreed, the lake will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under Ramsar Convention.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2020