Rebutting Chinese claim that India is responsible for tension at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), New Delhi on Friday hit back and said the situation worsened due to efforts by Beijing to “unilaterally change” the status of the LAC.
These strong comments by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava came at a media briefing. He was asked about the fresh comments by the Chinese foreign ministry blaming India again for the border situation in eastern Ladakh.
“Our position has been very clear and has been articulated several times in the past. The situation that we have seen since the last six months has been a result of the actions of the Chinese side which has sought to effect a unilateral change in status along the LAC in eastern Ladakh,” he said.
“These actions are in violation of the bilateral agreements and protocol on ensuring peace and tranquility along the LAC in the India-China border areas,” Srivastava added.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday blamed India again for the border standoff in eastern Ladakh. “We have taken note of the Chinese side’s statement that it observes ‘strictly the agreements between the two sides and is committed to resolving the border issue through dialogue and safeguarding peace and tranquility’ in the border areas. We expect that the Chinese side will match its words with actions,” Srivastava said.
Incidentally, the latest war of words between India and China broke out after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said two days back that relations between the two countries are at worst stage in the last 30 to 40 years. He also said ties with China have “significantly damaged.”
Striking a strident note in the backdrop of armies of both the countries locked in face-offs at the 1,700 km long LAC in Ladakh, Jaishankar said the ties were “very significantly damaged” because of Beijing’s violation of agreements on maintaining peace and tranquility on the LAC.
He admitted the talks at various levels had so far failed to address the basic issue that “agreements are not being observed.”
The Chinese have given five “differing explanations” for violating the agreements by bringing tens of thousands of soldiers to the LAC in Ladakh sector, a development that has “profoundly disturbed” the relationship, he said in an online conversation with the Australian think tank Lowy Institute.
The exchange of words between the two countries came at a time when the armies of India and China are locked in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh since early May. Both sides have held multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks. However, no breakthrough has been achieved yet.
Srivastava said the two sides have continued to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels.
“It is our expectation that the further discussions will help both sides to achieve an agreement on a mutually acceptable solution for ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in the Western sector and full restoration of peace and tranquility as early as possible,” he said.