New Delhi, April 22
In what could be seen as an escalation of tension between India and China on the icy heights of northern Ladakh, the Indian Army has rushed a contingent of 60 troops to the area.

Ladakh Scouts men are now in an eyeball-to-eyeball situation with the Chinese east of Daulat Beg Oldie — the highest advanced landing ground (ALG) close to the Karakoram pass. The men have been tasked to keep a watch on the Chinese. So far, Beijing has not responded to the Indian message for conducting a second flag meeting after talks at the first one failed.

China tonight suggested a resolution of the vexed issue ‘through talks’ while denying that its troops have crossed the Line of Actual control (LAC), which divides the two Asian neighbours.

Defence Minister AK Antony said, “India will take every step to protect its interests.” New Delhi has informed Beijing that its troops have entered an area that is in India and is not one of the five recognised disputed sections of the (LAC) in Ladakh. Hence, the principle of a ‘varying perception of the LAC’ does not apply in this case.

The LAC is not demarcated on the ground. Either side accepts some portions of the LAC alignment while others are disputed. This leads to ‘varying perceptions’ of the LAC. Troops, some times, on either side, therefore, patrol in ‘disputed areas’.

Minor incursions are common, but the situation leading to pitching of tents has not occurred in eastern Ladakh since 1962.

The 4,000-km-long LAC is disputed at five stretches in Ladakh. The dispute is a legacy of the British times and has been lingering since the latter part of the 19th century. The present flare up is “very close to the disputed section but not part of the recognised disputed sections by either side,” top sources told The Tribune.