India today said that attempts by the Chinese side to now advance exaggerated and untenable claims with regard to Line of Actual Control are not acceptable. It said, the position with regard to the Galwan Valley area has been historically clear.
In response to queries on the statement issued by the Chinese Spokesperson yesterday on the events in the Galwan valley area, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Anurag Srivastava said such claims are not in accordance with China’s own position in the past.
He said, Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the LAC in all sectors of the India-China border areas, including in the Galwan Valley. They abide by it scrupulously and the Indian side has never undertaken any actions across the LAC. In fact, they have been patrolling this area for a long time without any incident. All infrastructure built by the Indian side is naturally on its own side of the LAC.
The Spokesman said that since early May this year, the Chinese side has been hindering India’s normal, traditional patrolling pattern in this area. This had resulted in a face-off which was addressed by the ground commanders as per the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocols. He said, New Delhi does not accept the contention that India was unilaterally changing the status quo is not acceptable but on the contrary, India was maintaining it.
Subsequently in mid-May, the Chinese side attempted to transgress the LAC in other areas of the Western Sector of the India-China border areas. These attempts were met with appropriate response from the Indian side. Thereafter, the two sides were engaged in discussions through established diplomatic and military channels to address the situation arising out of Chinese activities on the LAC.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, had a conversation on 17th of this month wherein the Minister conveyed India’s protest in the strongest terms on the events leading up to and on the violent face-off on 15th June.
Dr Jaishankar firmly rejected the unfounded allegations made by the Chinese side and the misrepresentation of the understandings reached between the Senior Commanders. He also emphasized that it was for China to reassess its actions and take corrective steps. The two Ministers also agreed that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner and that both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of 6th June sincerely.
The Spokesman said, the two sides are in regular touch and early meetings of military and diplomatic mechanisms are currently being discussed. He said, India expects that the Chinese side will sincerely follow the understanding reached between the Foreign Ministers to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas, which is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.
