India well-defended in tri-junction, say officials

Remarks come ahead of NSA meet

A day after the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it would “safeguard China’s sovereignty whatever the cost,” official sources said on Tuesday that India was well defended in the tri-junction and China’s latest rhetoric was part of the build-up ahead of the meeting of the National Security Advisers of then BRICS nations in Beijing later this week.

Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will be in Beijing on Thursday and Friday to attend the meeting.

At a disadvantage

“China’s build-up is essentially in the backdrop of the meeting of the NSAs. They cannot take any action in the Chumbi Valley as they are at a disadvantage. If they do anything in any other area, it will be seen as expansionist,” a senior official said. On Monday, Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, said: “The Chinese border troops have taken initial counter measures at the site and will step up targeted deployment and training.” Warning India not to have any “impractical illusions,” Col. Wu said it would be easier to shake a mountain than the PLA.

China has maintained an aggressive diplomatic posture since the stand-off began on June 16. Indian troops prevented Chinese troops from building a road through the disputed Dokala plateau.

Some officials have said China has upped the ante so much that it is now looking for a way-out. “It is not an area where the Chinese would want to resort to any military adventure. Logistically and geographically, we are far better placed,” said a former Brigadier.