The Chinese demand, made ahead of the mutual withdrawal from the face-off site in eastern Ladakh by India and China, that India dismantle its bunkers and other infrastructure, such as sophisticated surveillance equipment and posts in the sensitive Chumar sector of south-eastern Ladakh, has triggered speculation that India may eventually agree to some of these demands.
The Chinese are also demanding that India freeze some of the constructions in Indian border areas in south-eastern Ladakh that China regards as part of its territory.
Top government sources said the Indian security establishment could examine these demands in detail. Sources said China may have meticulously planned its incursion in the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector of eastern Ladakh with the objective of pressuring India into agreeing to some of its demands in Chumar sector. Speculation is rife that there may have been some “give and take” made ahead of the agreement with China to end the face-off but defence sources denied there was any deal struck to dismantle infrastructure in border areas. Sources said the Chinese are extremely “sensitive” about any improvement of Indian infrastructure at Chumar since it is very close to the LAC and not far from Chinese border infrastructure.
Sources said the demand that the Indian Army destroy its bunkers in Chumar was made in the second flag meeting with the Indian security forces when India sought the unconditional withdrawal of Chinese forces from DBO sector. During the meetings, China insisted India destroys all construction in the Chumar area.