By – Shyamal Sinha

The Indian Soldiers sent out a clear message to the Chinese after they celebrated the country 74th Independence Day at the Pangong Lake. Lake so popular is the fact that it keeps changing colors. Situated in the Himalayan range it is approximately 140 km from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. The name of the lake Pangong was got from a Tibetan word Banggong Co that means a narrow and enchanted lake. And now you know that the lake has got its name rightfully. You will know this when you visit the beautiful lake of Pangong. You are sure to be enchanted by the charm. And because the lake is a long stretch, one third area of the lake lies within our country and the other two third portion lies with Tibet and is controlled by China.

The personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Force hoisted the Tricolour and conducted a march, while also raising slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. These celebrations took place in the midst of tensions with China at several points along the Line of Actual Control.

Amidst the stand off, Ambassador Vikram Misri held talks with Major General Ci Guowei, Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission (CMC) on Friday. Misri briefed him about India’s stance on the border issue in eastern Ladakh.

Meanwhile Anurag Srivastava, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said that both sides agreed on the broad principles of disengagement and based on it some progress had been earlier made.
I must add that translating these principles on the ground is a complex process that requires deployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective side of the Line of Actual Control. It is natural that this can be done only through mutually agreed reciprocal actions, he also said.

He further added that we would like the ongoing disengagement process to be completed at the earliest. It is also important to bear in mind that achieving this requires agreed actions by both sides, Srivastava also added.

Srivastava also said, “we, therefore, expect the Chinese side to sincerely work with us towards the objective of complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas as agreed by the Special Representatives. This is also necessary and essential in the context of overall development of our bilateral relationship. As External Affairs Minister had noted in a recent interview, the state of the border, and the future of our ties cannot be separated.”

Misri had earlier met with Liu Jianchaou, the deputy director office of the CPC Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission.

During the meeting, Misri meet Jianchaou of India’s stance on the situation on the borders on easter Ladakh and the overall bilateral relations.

The meeting was important considering the influence Liu holds with the CPC’s foreign affairs division. He would be able to convey the need to resolve the border row at a political level.  New Delhi is looking for another round of official talks through an established diplomatic channel. The talks are likely to take place this week, the official cited above also said.

The Pangong Lake falls on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control and to visit this beautiful lake you are required to get Inner Line permission. Also because the Pangong Lake is situated very close to the border, you will be allowed to visit only up to a certain area. You can explore the lake till the Spangmik village.