These Chinese fears about India ‘choking’ key road are holding up Hot Springs disengagement

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China is seeking the withdrawal of Indian troops from a key position in the Hot Springs area in eastern Ladakh, fearing they could choke its access to the Galwan valley, senior government sources have told ThePrint.

A 13-hour meeting of Indian and Chinese military commanders held last week ended without an agreement, and further talks are expected to be held.

PLA commanders, one source familiar with the negotiations said, have been asking that Indian troops withdraw from Patrol Point 15, located on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), just two kilometres from the road feeding Chinese positions inside the Galwan valley.

“The two sides agree, in principle, that both armies should pull back their troops and create a mutual no-patrol zone, as they have done elsewhere,” the official said. “The disagreement is on how far back they ought to go.”