'Dialogue only solution': Lt Gen (Retd) DS Hooda on the India-China face-off

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Lt Gen (Retd) DS Hooda describes the present situation in Ladakh as ‘very serious’ with long term implication. He says that it has to be solved diplomatically and politically.

Hyderabad:The stand-off between the Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan valley took a tragic turn after three soldiers, including an officer, were killed in a violent face-off between the two parties during the de-escalation process. This is the first time after 1975 that any casualties have been reported at the LAC. In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Lt Gen (Retd) DS Hooda talks about the implications of such confrontations and the way forward.

The India-China Standoff in the Galvan valley at LAC in the Ladakh region in which three army men including a colonel lost their life, this has happened during the de-escalation process, your take?

It was said that de-escalation has started. It seems the situation is very serious on the borders. The way this incident has taken place where casualties have taken place on both sides, it is the first time after 1975. It is a very serious incident. What can be its impact? how it can be resolved? I think the situation has taken a very serious turn in Ladakh.

Why say it is complicated, wasn’t it complicated before. Do you say so because bullets were not being fired?

It doesn't matter whether bullets have been fired or not. The bigger issue is violence not happening between the two armies. There are hundreds of transgressions every year but there are protocols between the two armies, if there are transgressions and our troops meet during the patrolling, how can we resolve these issues amicably. The bullets have not been fired, but protocols have been broken. This is serious. People are dying. To say the bullets are not being fired means the situation is fine is not fair.

It is complicated because there is no peace at borders, you had conflicts in Doklum, Chumar, both armies had faced off but there was no violence. If such incidents take place where both sides suffer casualties, then it is difficult to find solutions.

This is maybe the only border in India where we get reports of two armies engaging in scuffles and stone-pelting. Please tell us about the geographical area, the kind of patrolling points around the Galwan valley, Pangong Tso lake which makes such confrontations possible.

This hand to hand fighting between the soldiers, who are in uniform, is wrong. It is like a street fight. It should not happen. The armies should not behave like this.

In the Eastern Ladakh, the LAC is more than 800 km, mostly plain though in a high-altitude area. The problem is the LAC is as such there is no agreement between the two countries. It is not mapped or marked. Therefore, the patrolling triggers the face-offs. But this time, the way the face-off took place indicates that it is not a normal patrolling. There is a planned activity from the Chinese side. They have come at four to five places with proper planning and manpower with reserves and heavy equipment.

Why have they chosen this particular point to fight at? Are they at an advantageous position against the Indian army?

There are two main points, Pangong Tso’s north bank, where we already have what we call as ‘differing perceptions’ of LAC. They (Chinese) claimed the LAC is in the west and we considered it in the east. There are two geographical points called finger 4 and finger 8. Chinese consider LAC is on finger 4, we consider it at finger 8. Here Chinese have transgressed. The second place where the latest incident has taken place is in Galwan River valley. Galwan river comes from Tibet and joins in the Shyok river. The Syok river is around 8 kilometres from LAC. An important road goes closer to the Shyok river that is called Durbok-Shyok-DBO road. This is the main road that is important for re-supply to north Ladakh. Here we have a vulnerability. If the Chinese come inside, they can cut-off our road. This is why, strategically, this part of the Galwan valley is important because it protects the main road.

Are they doing this to occupy the road? How easy is it for China to occupy it?

The road is very important for us. If the Chinese come and say the LAC is westward, it will increase our vulnerability.

It is not that easy. Until this road is secure for us, we can send troops to the Galwan valley, deploy defences. But if the Chinese come inside, our vulnerabilities will increase. This is why Galwan valley is important for us.

According to the Army’s statement, the latest face-off happened during the de-escalation process. To have casualties during the de-escalation process, what direction do you see this whole issue going?

To have something like this happen at the time of de-escalation is difficult. But we don’t know exactly how it happened. It has major long term implications if such violence takes place on the Line of control.

You know, conflict with Pakistan on LoC has become a routine. Regarding Ladakh, we used to say, all conflicts will be resolved amicably. If this happens and is not controlled, I see this border will become troublesome and then there will be a lot of problems.

I have written an ETV article, wherein I say there is a protocol between India and China to look into these kinds of conflicts. There is a need to re-look all these protocols.

So what is the way forward? Where is it leading to?

I don’t see any military solution to it. It has to be dealt with diplomatically and politically. Only dialogue can solve the problem between the two countries.