Page 10 - The Indian EYE 022522

OpINION FEBRUARY 25, 2022 | The Indian Eye 10

Pla Border defense troops’

Winter Preparations:

sIgnalIng deteRRence

Inadequate winter logistics can lead troops to focus more on surviving the harsh climate rather than defending the

border. Similarly, the PLA wants to reduce the troops’ focus on surviving the high-altitude conditions and rather

expend their energies on dominating the areas to defend the border against any potential aggression

sources such as coal, electricity, and oxygen cylinders, generators and Courtesy: IDSA
M.S. PRATHIBHA
solar at the barracks, whereas the solid oxygen plants. Such supplies
outposts are connected to the state is possibly an indication of the is-
hina had signaled that it was grid. sues the troops might have faced in talks in October 2021, conducted to
upping its preparations for resolve the stand-off at the India–
In addition to this, modernized
Cwinter for its border troops at food supply system and winter cloth- 2020, when the Chinese troops had China border areas, broke down.
to be stationed in a stand-off against

the India –China border. The winter ing such as rechargeable vests, knee the Indian troops for the first time The winter preparations have to be

preparations were part of its efforts protectors, and camouflage coats are during the winter months at the In- seen in this context as both India and
to signal deterrence to its adversaries believed to have been made avail- dia–China border areas. China felt that certain preparations
by conveying its combat prepared- able to the troops. The winter preparations began were necessary to deny any military
ness to prevent the possibility of Much advertised were the oxy- amid tense situation between the advantage to the other side, which
skirmishes. It is also to create doubts gen supply devices such as portable two countries after the 13th border could be used as a leverage in the
in the adversary’s mind about the ef- negotiations.
fectiveness of his forces to carry out For instance, India could be re-
their objectives. In this case, China’s sponding pre-emptively to the dead-
immediate priority was to counter lock in negotiations, on the side of
Indian winter preparations at the caution, to prepare for the second
border, to prevent, in their percep- winter stationing with heightened
tion, possibility of increased Indian preparedness, and China is respond-
confidence in its combat prepared- ing to it, or expecting a change in
ness due to the upgraded logistics. status-quo similar to India’s tactical
The logistics required for win- actions (September 2020) to gain ac-
ter stationing at high-altitude areas cess to high peaks. The Global Times
requires China to focus on keeping report explicitly stated that China
the troops warm and safe from the was undertaking the winter prepa-
treacherous climate and ensuring rations against any “possible Indian
food supply, fuel, and oxygen. Ac- military aggression” seeking to sig-
cording to the news reports, the Second People’s Liberation Army (PLA’s) tank disengaging during the ongoing disengagement nal deterrence and establish Chinese
People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is process in Ladakh. (ANI Photo) preparedness and reduce the advan-
purported to have a variety of energy Continued at next page... >>

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