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NEW DELHI: The foreign ministers of India and China agreed that troops from the two countries should quickly withdraw from a border clash, they said in a joint statement released on Friday (September 11).
Foreign Ministers S Jaishankar and Wang Yi met in Moscow on Thursday on the sidelines of a conference to try to end the months-long dispute over the unmarked border, the most serious in decades.
“The two foreign ministers agreed that the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either party. Therefore, they agreed that the border troops of both parties should continue their dialogue, withdraw quickly, maintain the appropriate distance and alleviate tensions, “they said. it said in the statement.
China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday that China will maintain communication with India through diplomatic and military channels and commit to “restoring peace and tranquility” in its disputed border area.
LEE: India and China accuse each other of shooting in the air on the tense border
READ: India’s Defense Ministry says it agreed with China to ease border tension
Wang told Jaishankar that “the imperative is to immediately stop provocations such as shooting and other dangerous actions that violate the commitments made by the two sides.”
Wang also said during the meeting that all personnel and equipment that have crossed the border must be moved and that border troops from both sides “must withdraw quickly” to lessen the situation.
The Global Times of China, an influential tabloid published by the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party of China, said in an editorial published Thursday night that any conversation with India must be accompanied by “preparation for war.”
“The Chinese side must be fully prepared to take military action when diplomatic engagement fails, and its front-line troops must be able to respond to emergencies and be ready to fight at any time,” the newspaper said.
“India has abnormal confidence to confront China. It does not have enough strength. If India is kidnapped by extreme nationalist forces and continues to pursue its radical policy towards China, it will pay a heavy price.”
“VIOLENT CONFRONTATION”
In June, at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a “violent clash” with Chinese forces along the Galwan Valley, between China’s Tibet and the Indian region of Ladakh, which saw the deadliest clash between neighbors with weapons. nuclear power plants in more than four decades. .
Earlier this week, the two countries accused each other of shooting into the air during a confrontation on the border.
Both parties have observed a long-standing protocol to prevent the use of firearms at the sensitive and unmarked border, although this agreement has prevented casualties.
READ: Indian Army asks China’s PLA if there are missing civilians in its custody
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops had attempted to approach an outpost Indian position at the Royal Line of Control (LAC), or factor border, in the Ladakh sector, the Indian army said in a statement on Tuesday. .
“And when they were deterred by (Indian troops) themselves, the PLA troops fired a few rounds into the air in an attempt to intimidate the troops themselves,” he said, adding that the Indian side acted sparingly.
“At no time has the Indian Army transgressed through LAC or resorted to the use of any aggressive means, including fire,” he said.
But China said the Indians had crossed the informal border across the southern shore of Pangong Tso Lake, where tension has been mounting for more than a week.
“The Indian troops blatantly threatened to shoot the Chinese border guards who were patrolling and who came forward to negotiate, and the Chinese border guards were forced to take countermeasures to stabilize the situation,” said Zhang Shuili, representative of the Western Theater Command of the EPL.
China’s Foreign Ministry said Indian troops had illegally crossed LAC and were the first to fire.
