New Delhi:
Today is May Day and Indian Army jawans are likely to cross over into Chinese territory at the Spanggur gap near Chushul to participate in Labour Day celebrations. This is a tradition at the border on May 1, but this year it comes amid a stand-off about 100 km away in Ladakh, provoked by Chinese troops setting up camp 19 kms within Indian territory on April 15.
Yesterday, at a third flag meeting between army commanders from both countries, the Chinese reportedly suggested that the two armies increase the distance between the temporary camps that they have set up in the Depsang Valley near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border.
However, Chinese officials did not discuss a withdrawal from Indian territory and India made it clear that unless the Chinese troops withdraw completely, it will not move its own camp that it set up just 500 metres away after the Chinese pitched their tents.
But in China's offer, India sees the first signs of willingness to compromise and hopes this could eventually lead to a return to the "status quo" before the incursion.
So far, Beijing has said politely but firmly that it has not violated the border.
At yesterday's meeting, China also reportedly reiterated its demand that India dismantle infrastructure that it has set up in eastern Ladakh and stop new construction. India has refused saying this is its territory.
New Delhi is prepared, say sources, for the long haul but is not considering the military response that political leaders like Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav have suggested. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid told NDTV yesterday, "Mr Mulayam Singh being a (former) Defence Minister would know that it is the local commanders who are handling the issue at the flag meetings. If there is a need for higher diplomacy we will be ready for it." (
Watch video here)He has also countered the opposition's accusation that the government's response to China has been "weak" by saying, "We are engaged in the mechanism that we have put in place to ensure that border incidents are resolved amicably. We would not like to have unnecessary issues put into it. We have to ensure that our perception of the LAC is preserved and any violation of it is set right."
The SP and other political parties have slammed the government for going ahead with Mr Khurshid's scheduled visit to Beijing on May 9 despite the border stand-off.