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India plans studies, expeditions in unheld areas to counter China
YB WEB DESK. Dated: 3/2/2021 12:26:51 PM
New Delhi, Mar 01 The Indian Army is firmly pushing for mountaineering expeditions and research studies to consolidate the country's legitimate territorial claims in the areas along the northern borders to counter China's salami slicing claims. The army would be launching a major skiing expedition fro Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. Officials said that the move becomes necessary to counter China's expansionist policy. It is also necessary for us to mark our presence in unheld areas through mountaineering and other expeditions there, the official also said. The skiing expedition called ARMEX-21 will traverse the distance from the Karakoram Pass to Lipulekh Pass in around 8- days through areas close to the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Garwhwal and Kumaon sectors. More such expeditions will be planned in coordination with the Indian Mountaineering Federation and other institutes to peaks along the LAC and International Border. There have been positive developments both along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC) in the past few weeks. There was disengagement at the north and south banks of the Pangong lake. In a joint statement India and Pakistan said that the ceasefire was being maintained at the Line of Control since the midnight of February 24. These are positive development and will go a long way in maintaining peace at both the borders with China and Pakistan. A lot of credit for both developments go to India's national security planners led by National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. Prior to the disengagement process, India had moved to occupy the heights on the southern bank of the Pangong Lake.