In a terse statement the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday unequivocally told China that India’s activities are well within its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and the Chinese too should confine their activities to their side. “Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the Chinese side to also confine its activities to its side of the LAC,” said the MEA spokesperson on Thursday. Meanwhile, Indian and Chinese military talks at Galwan Valley over the violent clashes along the LAC in eastern Ladakh ended on Thursday on a slightly positive trajectory, however nothing has moved on the ground. The talks between the two countries’ militaries will continue on Friday.
The MEA also asked China to strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control and not take any unilateral action to alter it. India reminded China that it was agreed that both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of 6 June and that neither side would take any action to escalate matters and instead, ensure peace and tranquility as per bilateral agreements and protocols.
While talking tough on territorial issues, India also emphasised on its resolution to resolve the issues peacefully. The MEA said that that the two sides are in regular touch through their respective embassies and foreign offices and that at the ground level the two sides have maintained communication at the commanders’ level. India also clarified that meetings of diplomatic mechanisms such as Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs are under discussion.
While emphasising on the need for dialogue, the MEA made it clear that India would in no way bow down on territorial integrity. “While we remain firmly convinced of the need for maintenance of peace and tranquility in the borders areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue, at the same time, as the PM stated yesterday, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, said the MEA spokesperson.
Making it clear that it was the Chinese who transgressed and showed aggression first, the MEA said, “While it was our expectation that this would unfold smoothly, the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the LAC in the Galwan valley. On the late evening and night of 15th June 2020, a violent face off happened when the Chinese side unilaterally attempted to change the status quo there. They took premeditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties suffered by both sides. This could have been avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.”
Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Thursday said that there are no soldiers “missing in action” during the violent clash with Chinese troops. Indian Army troops who were attacked and suffered fatal casualties on Monday night were carrying weapons, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. However, they did not open fire.
Both armies have redeployed troops in thousands at the site of the clash. Sources said India has made clear to Chinese counterparts that they have to move back. Major General Abhijit Bapat, who is the Commander of the 3 Division of the Indian Army, had raised several points with the Chinese with regards to the incident on the intervening night of June 15-16.
These were the first casualties faced by Indian Army in a clash with the Chinese PLA since 1975 when an Indian patrol was ambushed by Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh.
With agency inputs