New Delhi,
In the backdrop of a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Army has instructed its troops to maintain sanctity of the Line of Actual Control , remain within laid down protocol and not to enter into physical jostling with Chinese troops.

The LAC, 3,488 km, is the defacto boundary between India and China.

Sources confirmed on Wednesday that instructions have been issued saying the LAC and its sanctity needs to maintained, meaning don’t yield ground. The instructions bar any jostling, touching, heckling or shouting at troops from across. Last year during the 73-day Doklam military standoff, the effect had been felt miles away in Ladakh when Indian and Chinese troops threw stones at each other near the Pangong Tso .

The Army has told its young officers in the field to follow the laid down protocol in dealing with any Chinese presence in disputed areas along the LAC. Notably, “protocol on modalities for implementation of CBMs in the military field along the LAC in the India-China border areas” a 2005 agreement has to be followed. It is part of a protocol agreed upon to de-escalate momentary transgressions by soldiers of the two countries.

It details each step to be followed in case troops come face to face. It says both sides shall cease their activities in the area, not advance any further, and simultaneously return to their bases.