“We have taken note of the statement by the Chinese side that it strictly observes ‘the agreements between the two sides and is committed to solving the border problem through dialogue and safeguarding peace and tranquility’ in the border areas. We hope that the Chinese side match their words with actions, “said MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava.
Srivastava said the situation that has developed in LAC over the past six months is the result of China’s attempts to unilaterally change the state, and dismissed claims by a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry blaming India for the same. .
“These actions violate the bilateral agreements and protocol to guarantee peace and tranquility throughout LAC in the border areas between India and China,” Srivastava said.
The two countries have exchanged blame after a fierce border clash in the Galwan Valley area in June that resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers. China has not officially confirmed the number of victims on its side, but various sources have put the number at about 35.
The border between India and China has been largely peaceful since the 1962 war. Situations arising from different perceptions of the unbounded border have mostly been resolved peacefully at the local military level.
However, the aggressive stance of Chinese troops has caused the calm to waver in recent years. Several incursions by Chinese forces have been reported in the Ladakh region. Indian and Chinese troops were caught in a protracted, almost “ eye to eye ” clash in the Doklam region in 2017.
The armies are currently locked in a tense border clash in eastern Ladakh since early May. Both sides have accumulated troops and weapons on the respective sides of the border. Despite multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks, no progress has yet been made.
The two sides have yet to agree on the modalities for a proposed troop withdrawal in eastern Ladakh, making it virtually certain that their soldiers will remain deployed to the forbidden heights during the long and harsh winter ahead.
China is adamant on the proposed withdrawal from the southern shore of the Pangong Tso-Chushul area, where Indian troops are in tactically advantageous positions on the ridge line stretching from Thakung to Gurung Hill, Spanggur Gap, Magar Hill, Mukhpari, Rezang La and Reqin La (Rechin mountain pass) from August 29 to 30.
India, in turn, wants the disconnect to start from the north shore of Pangong Tso, where the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has occupied the 8 km stretch from ‘Finger 4 to 8’ (mountain spurs) since early May. .
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