NEW DELHI: India and China are likely to establish a hotline between their air forces to prevent any possible escalation of the situation and to discuss issues directly with each other at the border.
“The question of having a direct line between the Chinese and Indian air forces had been the subject of discussion during recent talks held at the meeting point at the Chushul-Moldo border last week,” government sources told ANI.
The structure and level at which the hotline will be established is likely to be discussed in future meetings between the two countries on a military level, they said.
Sources said the need for a direct line between the air forces was felt as problems involving fighter jets can escalate very quickly and can lead to serious conflict.
Discussions in this regard are taking place against the backdrop of recent Chinese Air Force activities in the eastern Ladakh sector, where they frequently breached the 10km confidence building measure line and, on one occasion, clearly crossed while turning on June 25. The Chinese were surprised by the Indian response to their activities.
During the talks, the Indian side asked them to avoid such activities while the Chinese complained that the Indian Air Force was carrying out extended flights from its side of the border, the sources said.
The Mirage 2000 aircraft from a nearby airbase in Jammu and Kashmir had carried out extensive flights within its territory and surprised the Chinese Air Force plane by reaching the areas of possible intrusion much faster than they expected in terms of time. response,
The military talks held last Tuesday also saw elements of the Indian Air Force and the Chinese Air Force for the first time since the friction between the two sides began in April-May 2020.
The Indian side also included army representatives and from now on it is likely that the Air Force will be part of all military talks between the two sides.
The IAF was represented by an Air Commodore during recent special military talks, but at corps commander-level talks, he may be represented by an Air Deputy Marshal grade officer, the sources said.
In addressing the Chinese airborne violations and provocative activities, the Indian Air Force responded according to established procedures and according to the instructions of the Air Force Headquarters.
The Indian military is also keeping an eye on Chinese activities through the LAC near the friction points near the Finger area and hot springs.
Meanwhile, Indian and Chinese forces also maintain a close working relationship as an ITBP soldier deployed near the Chumar border disappeared on Monday evening.
During his research, the Indian side also informed the Chinese side to check if he had inadvertently passed over to the other side.
However, he was found on his own side on Tuesday afternoon and was taken back to his camp, the sources said.
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