Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (AP/file)
A day after Indian and Chinese diplomats agreed to “sincerely implement the disconnect and de-escalation understanding” along the Current Line of Control, New Delhi drew the red line on Thursday, saying that “the continuation of the current situation it would only vitiate the atmosphere for the development of the relationship “between the two countries.
Amid reports of satellite images showing Chinese structures at the site of the June 15 clash in the Galwan Valley and the concentration of PLA troops on the Depsang Plains, Anurag Srivastava, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said that “both sides continue to be deployed in large numbers in the” Galwan Valley “region while military and diplomatic contacts continue.”
In a heavily worded statement, Srivastava said “at the heart of the matter is that since the beginning of May, the Chinese side has been accumulating a large contingent of troops and weapons throughout LAC.”
Stressing that this “does not agree” with the pacts since 1993, he said: “Obviously, the Indian side had to undertake contrary deployments and the resulting tension has been expressed since then.”
On June 20, the Prime Minister’s Office had said that “the Chinese forces have had much greater force for LAC and that the Indian response is in line.”
The MEA also faced obstruction of the Indian patrol by Chinese troops in “total disregard” for all mutually agreed standards.
“The deployment of a large body of troops and changes in behavior have also been compounded by unwarranted and unsustainable claims. The recent change in China’s position in the Galwan Valley is an example, “Srivastava said, referring to Beijing’s assertion about the Galwan Valley.
The Maxar WorldView-3 satellite image shows a close-up view of the border of the Current Control Line (LAC) and patrol point 14 in the eastern sector of Ladakh of the Galwan Valley on June 22, 2020. (Source: Maxar via Reuters)
Describing Wednesday’s meeting between diplomats under the India-China Border Consultation and Coordination Working Mechanism (WMCC) as a “significant development” and referring to the agreements and understanding reached between the Foreign Ministers on June 17 and Army Commanders on June 6 and 22 said, “We hope that the Chinese side will sincerely follow up on this understanding and ensure the speedy restoration of peace and tranquility in border areas.”
Responding to questions, Srivastava, reading a statement, said: “In early May, the Chinese side had taken steps to hinder the traditional and traditional patrol pattern of India in the Galwan Valley area. The resulting confrontation was addressed by the ground commanders in accordance with the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocols. In mid-May, the Chinese side sought to change the status quo in other areas of the western sector. ”
“We had recorded our protest over Chinese actions through diplomatic and military channels, and we made it clear that any such change was unacceptable to us. Subsequently, the senior commanders met on June 6, 2020, and agreed on a reduction and disconnection process throughout LAC that involved reciprocal actions. Both parties agreed to respect and comply with LAC and not undertake any activity to alter the status quo, “he said.
“As I mentioned in my statement on June 20, the Chinese side departed from these understandings regarding LAC in the Galwan Valley area and sought to erect structures just on the other side of LAC. When this attempt was thwarted, Chinese troops took violent actions on June 15, 2020, that directly resulted in casualties. Thereafter, both sides remain deployed in large numbers in the region, while military and diplomatic contacts continue, “he said.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong, in an interview with PTI, said his country was ready to work with India to adequately deal with the border clash. He said that “suspicion and friction” was a wrong path that goes against the fundamental aspirations of the people of the two countries.
Saying that India and China can adequately handle their differences, Sun asked New Delhi to avoid taking actions that could “complicate” the situation in eastern Ladakh. He then added that at present, the general situation in the border areas between China and India is “stable and controllable.”
“We hope that the Indian side will meet the Chinese side halfway, avoid taking measures that may complicate the border situation, and take concrete steps to maintain stability in the border areas,” he said.
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