Indian, Chinese brigadiers have heated exchange on Ladakh over hotline

The ongoing brigadier-level talks between officers from Indian and Chinese armies took a sour turn on Tuesday as military leaders from both sides decided against holding in-person talks after Monday's LAC clash.

According to sources, officers from both sides exchanged heated arguments over the hotline.

The development comes a day after Chinese soldiers attempted to dislodge Indian forces from strategic heights in Mukhpari peak and Rezang La areas in Ladakh. Their attempts were thwarted by Indian soldiers.

According to sources, the two brigadiers had a heated exchange on the hotline over Chinese troops' attempt to approach Mukhpari Peak, dominated by Indian forces as well as the PLA's use of 'medieval' weaponry.

Government sources have revealed that Chinese soldiers who attempted to close-in on one of the Indian forward positions along the LAC on Monday evening, were carrying brute weapons like spears and machetes.

When questioned about the kind of weapons used by PLA troops, the Chinese brigadier said melee weapons (similar to 'guandao') carried were part of China's martial culture.

The Chinese military officer once again reiterated the PLA claim that it was the Indian Army that had breached the border protocol by opening fire on Monday night.

The Indian Army has already rejected the claims of Indian troops transgressing into Chinese territory. The Army has said, “At no stage has the Indian Army transgressed across the LAC or resorted to use of any aggressive means, including firing.”

During the talks over the hotline, the Indian brigadier accused China of setting up semi-permanent stone defences and escalating tensions by attempting to create such positions.

The Chinese brigadier echoed assertions made earlier by the PLA's Western Theatre Command that the Indian Army was intruding across the LAC and had endangered the status quo. The PLA brigadier accused the Indian side of mounting repeated aggressive actions, not just near Rezang La on Monday, but also further south of the Pangong Tso lake.

The PLA brigadier also accused the Indian side of expanding the scope of aggressive actions.

Sources said that during the talks, the Indian side held its ground that actions, if any, have been strictly on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control.

The hotline interaction between India and China ended with both sides agreeing to keep the communication channel open.