Meanwhile, Beijing hints it’s ready to share western maps

General Vij, who had visited China for eight days on the invitation of his counterpart, General Liang, told his hosts that it was important to clarify the LAC. He pointed out that the exchange of maps could go side-by-side with the Special Representative dialogue spearheaded by National Security Advisor J N Dixit and Chinese Executive Vice Minister Dai Bingguo.

Till now, of the 3,500 km long LAC, the two sides have only clarified the least contentious 545 km middle sector through the exchange of maps. Doing so for the rest of the LAC would be an important CBM as both armies will be able to pin down each other’s positions along the disputed border. Gen Vij, who also met Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghang and Defence Minister General Cao Gangchuan during his trip, received positive feedback to his suggestion.

Analysts welcomed this development as Beijing was willing to go ahead with the move even though the western sector included the India-Pakistan-China trijunction. Once the western sector maps are exchanged, the focus will shift to the eastern sector — including Arunachal Pradesh — where India feels it has the upper hand. The official position is that that China occupies 38,000 sq km in Aksai Chin, while Beijing claims that India is sitting on 90,000 sq km of its land in Arunachal Pradesh.

Gen Vij also made progress on other fronts. For the first time, the two sides will send their observers to each other’s army exercises. There are also proposals to increase the frequency of military visits between the two armies. The two countries are also willing to open up their military courses to each other’s officers.