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Govt has unleashed Nthn Army Cdr LtGen Joshi for publicity. Among several interviews, this one has some great nuggets. Some take-aways:
1. Disengagement from Pangong done in 4x phases, now almost done. So we should expect next Corps Cdrs mtg soon. (1/6) https://www.news18.com/news/india/exclusive-india-has-not-ceded-land-china-has-just-earned-a-bad-name-at-least-45-chinese-soldiers-were-killed-3444080.html
1. Disengagement from Pangong done in 4x phases, now almost done. So we should expect next Corps Cdrs mtg soon. (1/6) https://www.news18.com/news/india/exclusive-india-has-not-ceded-land-china-has-just-earned-a-bad-name-at-least-45-chinese-soldiers-were-killed-3444080.html
2. 200x PLA veh that left on day 1 were at "western hwy" (presumably G219) on day 2. Joshi meant this as evidence of PLA sincerity/compliance; but its also a reminder of how quickly PLA can surge back to front if it wants. (2/6)
3. There's (public) hope that disengagement will be followed by new protocols that allow patrolling of current buffer zones ...and eventually maybe demarcation of LAC. Is this PR or genuinely-held expectation in IA and govt? (3/6)
4. After Kailash peaks occupied 29-30 Aug, Joshi says, "We were on the edge, we were absolutely on the brink." War was close.
Another way to put this was that IA generated risk - your servant tweeter was excoriated for making the same point here: (4/6) https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/16/india-china-are-taking-new-risks-along-their-border-it-will-be-hard-restore-peace/
Another way to put this was that IA generated risk - your servant tweeter was excoriated for making the same point here: (4/6) https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/16/india-china-are-taking-new-risks-along-their-border-it-will-be-hard-restore-peace/
5. Eyebrow raising, a bonus for civmil club ( @Mukherjee_Anit @srinathraghava3 @SushantSin): Joshi makes several comments like "We had been given absolute free hand to conduct operations the way we wanted."
Esp given prev point about being on brink, that seems unwise. (5/6)
Esp given prev point about being on brink, that seems unwise. (5/6)
Can you imagine if JFK and McNamara had given "absolute free hand" to blockade enforcers? (6/6)
