China has been amassing troops and fortifying its presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since April-May. Both the India and China have been engaged in an intense military standoff. Twenty Indian soldiers were killed on June 15 in the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh in violent clashes with China’s people’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops. The standoff at the China border continues even after the several rounds of diplomatic and military level talks. A partial disengagement commenced after Special Representative (SRs) AjitDoval and Wang Yi, tasked to hammer out a solution to the boundary dispute between the two countries. As per the information about 200 Chinese soldiers mobilized at around 11 pm on Aug 29. The Indian Army had prior intel about the deployment and was prepared to handle any situation in that area. Once the Chinese convoy entered into the contested Indian post, troops from both sides engaged in a few minutes of jostling. Both sides then stood their ground for some time before the Chinese troops decided to move back. No injuries or casualties of any kind were reported during this confrontation between the Indian and Chinese soldiers along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that “Chinese border troops always strictly abide by the LAC. They never cross the line. Border troops on the two sides have been in close communication regarding the issues on the ground.” He added that “What I said is that the two sides through diplomatic and military channels maintain close communication. As to specific meetings and talks, if there is anything we will release it in a timely manner.” On 1st Sep Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called a high level meeting to discuss the on-going situation and future strategy for the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA AjitDoval, CDS BipinRawat, Army Chief MM Narawane and Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Paramjit Singh were present in the meeting. On Monday, Indian Army had said the Chinese troops carried out “provocative military movements” to unilaterally change the status quo near PangongTso lake in eastern Ladakh on the intervening night of Aug 29-30. China has denied provoking any conflict between the two nations. According to the sources Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops with the help of ropes and other equipment, started ascending on to a table-top area between Black Top and Thakung Heights at PangongTso’s south bank. The Chinese Embassy in India released a statement and said that “On Aug 31st, Indian troops illegally trespassed LAC again at southern bank of PangongTso. China made solemn representations to India, urged them to control and restrain frontline troops.” China has lodged a protest with the Indian side on the border tension urging Indian forces to exercise restraint and honour commitments. The India defence wing on 31st Aug said that “The Chinese tried to intrude into the south bank of the PangongTso, which is of huge significance as it is a new area. Brigade Commander level officers were in talks at Chushul to defuse tension.”China’s state Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the French Institute of International Relations, said about India-China relations where he reiterated the oft stated position that differences between the two nations have to be managed bit also that Beijing will not compromise on sovereignty.” He added that “What I want to tell you that China has always been committed to maintaining stability in the Sino-Indian border areas. We will not take the initiative to complicate and expand the situation. Of course, we must also firmly safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity.” It is well known that India has banned dozens of Chinese apps and has placed restrictions on Chinese investments amid the backlash against Beijing following the deadly border clashes in June. Several rounds of military and diplomatic talks on ending the crisis have been unsuccessful.
Rajeev Ranjan @ Samacharline
