US Highlights “Significant Concern” Over China’s Continued Military Aggression Along LAC With India
Washington:
A bipartisan disposition of Congress condemning China’s aggression toward India has become law as the United States Congress overruled President Donald Trump’s veto on the $ 740 billion defense policy bill. which, among other things, included calling out China for its aggression against India along the Royal Line of Control (LACA).
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2021, which became law on Friday after Congress overruled Donald Trump’s veto, included a resolution urging the Chinese government to end its military aggression against India throughout of ALC.
President Trump, on December 23, vetoed the NDAA, which had bipartisan support, arguing that it had provisions that would harm national security.
When the United States Congress dealt a blow to Donald Trump in his last days in office, Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said: “Through today’s New Years Day vote in the Senate, Congress has enacted into law the National Defense Authorization Law, including elements of my resolution calling on China to end its military aggression against India and others in the Indo-Pacific region generally. “
The US House of Representatives and Senate approved the $ 740 billion NDAA on December 15, which included key components of Krishnamoorthi’s resolution language urging the Chinese government to end its military aggression against India throughout LAC.
China and India have been locked in a military showdown since May 2020 following Chinese aggression along the Royal Line of Control in eastern Ladakh. Several rounds of talks between the two countries to resolve the confrontation have not yielded any concrete results.
Krishnamoorthi said: “The violent aggression by the Chinese army along the royal line of control with India and elsewhere is unacceptable, and the passage of this legislation sends a clear message of support and solidarity to India and our other partners in everyone, as the new year comes in. “
The inclusion of this provision, which Krishnamoorthi spearheaded as an amendment when the bill passed the House of Representatives, reflects the strong support of the US government for its allies and partners like India in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Expressing “significant concern” over China’s continued military aggression along the Royal Line of Control with India, the NDAA says China “should work with” India to reduce the situation throughout LAC through diplomatic mechanisms. and refrain from attempting to resolve disputes through coercion or force.
China’s attempts to promote unfounded territorial claims, including those in the South China Sea, the East China Sea and with respect to Bhutan, are destabilizing and inconsistent with international law, the bill says.
China is also involved in highly controversial territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea. China claims sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, a claim rejected by Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan, all of whom have counter claims.
Beijing has built and militarized many of the islands and reefs it controls in the region. Both areas are said to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources and are also vital to world trade.
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