India slams China for violating peace agreements

External Affairs Ministry yesterday said the Chinese side has been deploying a large number of troops and armaments along the LAC since early May. 

Briefing media virtually yesterday, Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, this is not in accordance with the provisions of various bilateral agreements, especially the key 1993 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas.

He stated that the Indian side had to undertake counter deployments and the resulting tension has thereafter expressed itself.  The spokesperson said that in early May, the Chinese side had taken action to hinder India's normal, traditional patrolling pattern in the Galwan Valley area.

The resulting face-off was addressed by the ground commanders as per the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocols. In mid-May, the Chinese side sought to change the status quo in other areas of the Western Sector. India had registered protest on the Chinese actions through both the Diplomatic and Military channels, and made it clear that any such change was unacceptable.

Subsequently, the Senior Commanders met on 6th June and agreed on a process for de-escalation and disengagement along the LAC that involved reciprocal actions. Both sides had agreed to respect and abide by the LAC and not undertake any activity to alter the status quo.

 

Mr Srivastava said the Chinese side departed from these understandings in respect of the LAC in the Galwan Valley area and sought to erect structures just across the LAC. When this attempt was foiled, Chinese troops took violent actions on 15th June that directly resulted in casualties. He said both sides



remain deployed in large numbers in the region thereafter, while military and diplomatic contacts are continuing.

 

The spokesperson said respecting and strictly observing the Line of Actual Control is the basis for peace and tranquility in the border areas and explicitly recognized so in the 1993 and subsequent agreements. He said Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of the LAC in all sectors of the India-China border areas and abide scrupulously by it. 

They have been patrolling all along the LAC, including in the Galwan Valley, for a long time. He said all infrastructure built by the Indian side has always been on its own side of the LAC. He stressed that the Indian side has never undertaken any actions across the LAC and has never attempted to unilaterally change the status quo. The spokesperson said that however, that has not been reciprocated by the Chinese side and that from time to time has led to face-offs.  He said the deployment of large body of troops and changes in behavior has also been aggravated by unjustified and untenable claims. He pointed out that the recent shift in the Chinese position on the Galwan Valley is one example.

Mr Srivastava said the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas is the basis of India China bilateral relationship. He said it is imperative that the established mechanisms are used by both parties to address the current situation.

He said India expects the Chinese side to ensure the expeditious restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas. He added that a continuation of the current situation would only vitiate the atmosphere for the development of the relationship.