Prospect of 'Doklam-type' pullback in Ladakh makes India wary of pitfalls

With Indian and Chinese troops in Eastern Ladakh facing the prospect of winter in deep sub-zero temperatures, howling winds and low oxygen levels, New Delhi and Beijing are discussing a disengagement plan that might allow soldiers on the 16,000-foot heights around Pangong Tso lake to withdraw to easier locations.
 

Government sources say Beijing is pressuring New Delhi to accept what would be publicly called a “mutual troop withdrawal”, but would, in fact, require Indian soldiers to withdraw first from their tactically advantageous positions south of Pangong Tso lake.
 

Only after Indian troops withdraw from their dominating heights, such as Point 5167, Bump, Magar Hill and Requin La, would the People’s Liberation Army pull back from its positions on Helmet Top