PM Modi flies to Leh in signal to China, gets briefing at 11,000 feet on standoffs

In a intently guarded transfer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen M N Naravane landed at Leh on Friday morning to overview the tri-services preparedness towards the aggressive People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in addition to perceive the proposed de-escalation and disengagement course of on the 4 stand-off factors.

PM Modi will deal with Indian troops at Thiksey close to Leh. He may also meet injured troopers on the hospital in Nimu close to Leh.

The determination for PM Modi to go to Ladakh sector was taken final night with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval dealing with the final minute detailing with Gen Rawat. PM Modi, Doval and Rawat stood collectively to face the Chinese aggression in Doklam plateau in 2017.

PM Modi was briefed by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Y Ok Joshi and XIV Corps Commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh at Nimu Army headquarters.

The go to of PM Modi and Army brass might be an enormous morale booster for Indian troops deployed in East Ladakh. With NSA Ajit Doval popping out of self imposed isolation, the Leh go to is a large sign to China because it conveys how critically does India view the stand-off with PLA.

Although the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman on Thursday referred to as for expeditious dis-engagement from the border, the de-escalation course of will take time with the PLA not within the temper to stroll the discuss between the 2 governments on floor. Despite speaking about peace and dis-engagement, the PLA troop withdrawal from Galwan, Gogra, Hot Springs and Pangong Tso will take plenty of time and severe persuasion.

According to navy commanders, the PLA continues to earmark its territory in any respect the stand-off factors by bodily deployment whereas enterprise superficial thinning within the rear by withdrawing a couple of automobiles and few males. The PLA stands amassed at Galwan River Valley and consolidated at Pangong Tso with large infrastructure improve.

Faced with a recalcitrant adversary, the Indian Army and Air Force are absolutely deployed to forestall any additional aggression from the PLA. The morale of the forces seems to be very excessive significantly after the June 15 flare-up at Galwan. “ We have no intentions of initiating any skirmish but any aggression from the other side will be fully repelled,” mentioned a senior navy commander.

With temperatures in East Ladakh and Tibet effectively over 20 diploma Celsius and excessive velocity winds sweeping the area, air operations within the space are a problem with weight limits being imposed throughout take-offs significantly in Russian origin platforms. While IAF will use the air bases within the plains within the worst case situation, the PLA Air Force can have severe issue in working from Tibetan Plateau. The coming days may also be a test of unproven Chinese air platforms, missiles and land methods as their battle worthiness has by no means been challenged.