Violent face-off an attempt by Chinese side to unilaterally change status quo, says India

India yesterday said, on the late-evening and night of 15th June a violent face-off happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there. Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided, had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.

 

In response to media queries on the situation in the western sector of the India-China border, the MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. He said, India expected the same of the Chinese side.

 

The spokesperson said, India and China have been discussing through military and diplomatic channels the de-escalation of the situation in



the border area in Eastern Ladakh. Senior Commanders had a productive meeting on 6th of this month and agreed on a process for such de-escalation. Subsequently, ground commanders had a series of meetings to implement the consensus reached at a higher level.

 

He said, while it was New Delhi's expectation that this would unfold smoothly, the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley.

 

The Spokesman added that New Delhi remains firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue. At the same time, New Delhi is also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.