Playing into China's hands in Ladakh

Indians expect accountability for the security lapses that the government has now acknowledged

In a statement posted on its website, which was withdrawn on Thursday afternoon, the Ministry of Defence belatedly admitted what the government has stoutly denied so far: That Chinese troops had “transgressed” the Line of Actual Control (LAC) — the de facto Sino-Indian border — in several sectors in May, and that “the present standoff is likely to be prolonged.” That leaves the government with a simple question: Will those responsible be called to account?

India has never been hot on accountability for national security lapses. After the 1962 drubbing at the hands of China that killed 3,250 Indian soldiers, then