North Sikkim: The Defence Ministry said the armed forces of the two countries have well-established mechanisms for communication at the ground commanders’ level.
North Sikkim: In order to avoid any kind of skirmishes along the Real Line of Control (LAC), the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have established a hotline in the northern region of Sikkim.
“A hotline has been established between the Indian army in Kangra La, North Sikkim and the PLA in Khamba Dzong in the Tibet Autonomous Region to foster a spirit of trust and cordial relations along the borders. The event coincided with PLA Day on August 1, 2021, ”the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
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The Defense Ministry said the armed forces of both countries have well-established communication mechanisms at the level of ground commanders.
“These hotlines in various sectors greatly contribute to improving and maintaining peace and quiet at the borders,” the defense ministry added.
The Defense Ministry further said that the inauguration took place in the presence of the ground commanders of the respective armies, adding that a message of friendship and harmony was exchanged via the hotline.
Earlier on January 20 of this year, Indian and Chinese troops physically clashed in the high-altitude area of Naku La in northern Sikkim, with several soldiers wounded on both sides after Indian troops pushed back. an attempt by Chinese troops to enter Indian territory.
The PLA has been assertive throughout the actual line of control, although the Indian military remains in a state of high vigilance to respond to aggressive actions, IANS reported.
The confrontation was resolved, in accordance with established protocols, by local commanders.
Troops from both sides also clashed on May 9 last year in Naku La, which left several injured on both sides.
This happened just after the violent clashes on the north shore of eastern Ladakh on May 5 and 6, when the PLA made multiple attempted incursions into Indian territory.
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Later on the night of June 15, 2020, a deadly physical clash at Galway claimed the lives of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
The Sikkim border, including the tri-junction, is extremely critical and sensitive for New Delhi because if a Chinese breakthrough happens here, they can reach and block the Siliguri corridor — a narrow, 27-km wide strip of the Indian territory that connects India’s entire north-eastern region with the rest of the country.
The Chinese control over the Siliguri corridor could cut off the entire northeast. India, therefore, guards Sikkim heavily with two mountain divisions to prevent this.
