I actually agree with some of what you said in your "big picture posts" I thought I have made that clear.
I didn't quote you in most of them that aren't addressing something you said. Most that don't quote you are for the benefit of the thread but they get buried under mountains and mountains of talking about nanometer details that only show the big picture is how it is and the likely negotiations at the moment are how I suspect they are.
India traditionally had a bit more presence along the northern aspect of this total dispute because they want to challenge Aksai Chin. It could be why China demanding this northern aspect becoming a buffer like on Pangong is not sitting well with the Indian side and why PLA has not disengaged which the Americans pretty much want to call a Chinese invasion of India even thought it is nothing like that... which of course you agree.