This still-frame capture from video shows an Indian army convoy driving in Leh, India. Nuclear-armed rivals have been locked in a tense standoff in Ladakh since May. (AP)
The spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry also accused India of being the “root cause” of the tensions along the border, accusing Delhi of improving infrastructure construction and troop deployment in disputed areas.
- News18.com New Delhi
- Last update: October 13, 2020 10:20 PM IST
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In response to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s inauguration of 44 key bridges built in strategically important areas, China said on Tuesday that it strongly opposed the move and did not recognize the Ladakh Union territory established “illegally” by India. .
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said neither side should take steps to complicate the situation. The comments came a day after the seventh round of military talks between the two nations.
India and China have been embroiled in a bitter clash since the beginning of this year after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in clashes with the PLA in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in June.
“China does not recognize the so-called Union Territory of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India,” Zhao said, reported the Global times. “We oppose the construction of infrastructure for the purpose of military surveillance in disputed border areas.”
Zhao said that according to the recent consensus reached between the two sides, neither China nor India should take any action in the border areas that “would complicate the dispute” and “would not undermine the efforts made by both nations to reduce the situation.” .
Zhao also accused India of being the “root cause” of the tensions along the border. This, he said, is because “India has continued to improve infrastructure construction and troop deployment in contested areas over a period of time.” He urged India to take “practical action” for peace and quiet in the border areas.
The bridges inaugurated by India have been built in strategically key areas of Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
Most of these bridges are expected to significantly improve troop movement in areas along the Chinese border in sectors of Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, authorities said. Both India and China held a series of diplomatic and military talks to resolve the border confrontation. However, no progress has been made to calm the situation.
“Our armed forces personnel are deployed in large numbers in areas where transportation is not available throughout the year,” he said, noting that improving border infrastructure will significantly help the armed forces. “These roads are not only for strategic needs, but also reflect the equitable participation of all stakeholders in the development of the nation,” Rajnath Singh said after the inauguration.
Amid the border standoff, India is accelerating work on several key projects, including a strategic highway linking Darcha in Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh that will traverse several high-altitude snow-covered passes.
The nearly 290 km long road will be crucial for the movement of troops and heavy weapons to the border bases in the Ladakh region and will provide a crucial link with the Kargil region.
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