India has stepped up economic pressure on China since the June battle (Representational)
Beijing:
India and China accused each other on Monday of military provocation on their border with the Himalayas, where a deadly clash broke out in June, even as commanders of the two sides held talks aimed at easing tensions.
China’s military claimed that Indian troops had crossed the border near Pangong Tso, a lake at 4,200 meters (13,500 feet) on Monday, and engaged in “open provocation and caused the border situation to become tense.”
“The Chinese army is taking the necessary countermeasures,” the regional command of the People’s Liberation Army said in a statement.
Early Monday, India said Chinese troops “carried out provocative military moves to change the status quo” in eastern Ladakh over the weekend.
Military commanders of the two sides held talks on Monday in a new attempt to ease tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors, who fought a border war in 1962 and have staged regular high-altitude clashes since then.
China did not confirm Saturday’s incident, but the Foreign Ministry said its troops “have always strictly adhered to” the unofficial border known as the Royal Line of Control.
On June 15, troops from both sides fought hand-to-hand combat in Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. China acknowledged the casualties but did not provide figures.
The two sides blame each other for the recent clashes and the two armies have since dumped tens of thousands of troops into the region. The military and diplomatic talks are apparently stalled.
– Mass accumulation of troops –
Pangong Tso is one of several hotspots where troops have concentrated since June.
“Indian troops anticipated this PLA activity on the southern shore of Pangong Tso Lake, took steps to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change the facts on the ground,” the Indian Defense Ministry said.
Senior officials gathered at a border post near the scene of the clash on Monday, he added.
According to military sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Indian troops pushed back Chinese troops that crossed the Line of Control.
“PLA soldiers entered our area near the southern shore of Pangong, but our soldiers were prepared and quickly pushed them back without violence,” said a source.
“They tried to come back several hours later, but we stood our ground. There has been no such confrontation in this area in the past.”
China’s Foreign Ministry said Chinese troops “have always strictly adhered to the Royal Line of Control and have never crossed it.”
“Border troops from both sides have maintained communication on issues on the ground,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a news conference.
Amid calls to boycott Chinese products, India has stepped up economic pressure on China since the June battle and repeatedly warned that relations would suffer unless its troops withdrew.
India has banned at least 49 Chinese-owned apps, including the TikTok video platform, froze Chinese companies without contracts, and withheld Chinese goods at customs posts.
China has complained about the action and warned that Indian consumers will suffer.
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