Virtually defending the latest incursion by the People’s liberation Army in the Chumar sector in ladakh, China on Wednesday said its troops were patrolling on its side of the line of Actual Control (lAC) and asserted that “status quo” should not be changed pending a final settlement.
“I have seen the relevant reports but I am not aware of the specific situation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing when asked about the incident that took place ahead of Defence Minister AK Antony’s visit here last week.
“Chinese Defence forces have been patrolling along the Chinese side of the lAC of the China-India border,” she said.
“The general situation in the border areas is stable. We have the consensus that pending the final settlement of the boundary question, no one, (none from India or China) should change the status quo along the lAC”, she said, indirectly asserting that neither side should resort to any infrastructure development.
“China would like to make joint efforts with the Indian side to safeguard peace and tranquility of the border areas,” Hua said.
The incident took place on June 17 when the People’s liberation Army (PlA) troops intruded into the Chumar sector in ladakh and smashed some bunkers besides cutting wires of cameras installed at the Indian border post.
The camera which was removed was reportedly returned on July 3, a
day ahead of Antony’s visit, the first by an Indian Defence Minister since 2006.
Antony held talks with Chinese Premier li Keqiang, his Chinese counterpart General Chang Wanquan and Special Representative of the India-China border negotiations Yang Jiechi on July 5 and 6. Before that, Yang and National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon held the 16th round of border talks on June 28 and 29, after which both sides spoke of positive progress.
Meanwhile, concerned over the recent Chinese incursions, the BJP asked the Government to call an all-party meeting and clarify if the Government was reassessing the situation in the light of the fresh developments. It also sought to know from the Government why it “suppressed” information about Chinese incursions into ladakh in mid-June.
“There are reports that there was a Chinese incursion again on June 17 in Chumar sector. Why was this incident not conveyed to the people earlierIJ Why was it suppressedIJ” Deputy leader of the BJP in Rajya Sabha Ravishankar Prasad told reporters.
He was reacting to recent developments in Sino-Indo relations, including a top Chinese general’s warning on the eve of Defence Minister AK Antony’s recent visit to China and whether this had led the Indian Government to remain mum on the June 17 incursions.
“The BJP would like to know if the Government of India is reassessing its views in the light of China’s aggression. If China is carrying the impression that India can be pushed around, then it is very unfortunate. What is India doingIJ” Prasad asked.
The main Opposition pointed out that the recent incursion has come weeks after the earlier incursion by Chinese forces in the Daulat Beg Oldie region in ladakh.