India, China have will to resolve issues via talks, says Beijing

Following a visit to India by a US general who described Chinese activity in eastern Ladakh as “eye-opening,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated on Thursday that China and India have the will and capability to resolve the border situation through dialogue and consultation, and that US officials were attempting to “add fuel to the fire.”

China’s reaction comes in the wake of remarks made by US Army’s Pacific Commanding General Charles A. Flynn who is on a four-day visit to India. Flynn had on Wednesday in an interaction with journalists talked about the “alarming” infrastructure development by China along its borders with India in the Ladakh sector, and called the Chinese activities in that region “eye-opening”.

Addressing a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, “Some US officials have pointed fingers and sought to fan the flame and drive a wedge between the two countries. This is disgraceful. We hope the US could do more things that contribute to regional peace and stability.”

India on Thursday said that it is carefully monitoring the developments along with its border areas including the construction of infrastructure by the Chinese side in the eastern Ladakh sector.

“India carefully monitors developments along with our borders areas including construction of infrastructure by the Chinese side in the western sector as well as that been undertaken further in-depth areas,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said while addressing a media briefing.

“The government is committed to and takes all adequate and appropriate measures to safeguard territorial integrity and sovereignty as the developments in recent years have clearly demonstrated,” Bagchi said.