The Indian envoy said that China’s claim to sovereignty over Galwan is completely “unsustainable”
New Delhi:
India warned China on Friday that trying to alter the status quo on the ground by resorting to force will not only harm the peace that existed in the border areas, but may also have “ripples and repercussions” on the broader bilateral relationship, and demanded that Beijing stop its activities in eastern Ladakh.
The only way to resolve the current military confrontation across LAC in eastern Ladakh was for Beijing to realize that trying to “change the status quo by resorting to force or coercion is not the right way,” he said. the Indian ambassador to China, Vikram Misri. in a forceful interview with PTI.
Claiming that the actions taken by the Chinese forces on the ground have damaged “considerable confidence” in the bilateral relationship, the Indian ambassador added that it was the sole responsibility of the Chinese side to have a careful view of the relations and decide in which direction the ties must move.
Noting that the maintenance of peace and tranquility “on the border is a sine qua non for progress in the rest of the bilateral relations between India and China,” said Misri: “The resolution of this problem is quite direct from our perspective. The Chinese side needs to stop creating obstructions and obstacles in the normal patrol patterns of Indian troops, “he said.
He also called China’s claim to sovereignty over the Galwan Valley in Ladakh “completely unsustainable,” and said that such exaggerated claims are not going to help the situation.
“The activities we carry out have always been on our side of the Current Line of Control (LAC), so the Chinese must stop the activities to alter the status quo. It is very surprising that they try to do it in a sector that never before it had been a sector of concern. ” he said.
Emphasizing that India is “very aware and very clear about the LAC alignment in the Galwan Valley,” he said that our troops have been patrolling these areas without any difficulties for a very long period of time.
Misri’s strong comments came in response to recent claims by the Chinese military and the foreign sovereignty ministry over the Galwan Valley.
Commenting on the statement by Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on Thursday that India’s responsibility is to reduce tensions, Misri said: “I think we have been very clear and very consistent in pointing out that they have been Chinese actions for an extended period of time.” , who are responsible for the current situation. “
In fact, beginning with the April and May time frame, I would say that there were a number of Chinese actions throughout LAC in the Ladakh sector in the western sector that interfered with and hindered the normal patrolling activities of our troops in that Obviously, this led to some confrontational situations, “he said.
During an interview with PTI, Sun refused to answer questions about China’s transgressions in LAC. He was asked why China has not allowed Indian patrols from finger 4 to finger 8 areas in Pangong Tso even though the areas belonged to the Indian side of LAC. He was also asked why China has resorted to the massive accumulation of troops in almost all areas of 3,500 km in LAC. But Sun sidestepped the questions and remained silent.
Mr. Misri said that “he would underline the comments of our Foreign Minister (S Jaishankar) when he spoke with Foreign Minister Wang Yi that these events cannot but have an impact on the bilateral relationship.”
“The bilateral relationship is of great value to both countries. It is important not only for us but also regionally important,” he said.
“So I think there should be an understanding on the Chinese side that there is no gain in trying to alter the status quo on the ground, especially by resorting to force … that will not only harm the peace and tranquility that existed in the border but it can have ripples and repercussions in the broader bilateral relationship, “Misri said.
“We have no wish for that. Therefore, it is entirely the responsibility of the Chinese side to have a careful view of our bilateral relations and decide in which direction the bilateral relationship will go,” he said.
“In my opinion, there is only one answer, I hope that the Chinese side will see it that way as well,” he added.
Noting that in the Galwan Valley especially there has never been any difference as to where LAC was located, the Indian envoy said: “It is very surprising that they have chosen, in the context of these recent developments, to do this kind of thing in a sector that has never been a sector of concern before. “
“So for China, expressing these kinds of claims is completely unsustainable. These kinds of exaggerated claims are not going to help the situation. The type of language that has been used is not helpful in resolving this situation,” he said.
In ongoing meetings, including at the military level, that are taking place “we hope that the Chinese side will realize its responsibility in the reduction and withdrawal,” he said.
“That would be a true resolution of this problem,” he said.
Misri’s comments came a day after the Foreign Ministry said that China has been amassing a large contingent of troops and weapons across LAC in eastern Ladakh since early May, warning that the continuation of the Current situation would only vitiate the atmosphere for the development of the relationship.
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