New Delhi: External Affairs Ministry on Thursday said that the Chinese side has been deploying a large number of troops and armaments along the LAC since early May.

Briefing media this evening, 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.

Srivastava said all infrastructure built by India has always been on its own side of the LAC and it has never undertaken any actions across the LAC and has never attempted to unilaterally change the status quo.

“However, that has not been reciprocated by the Chinese side and that from time to time has led to face-offs, he said.

The spokesperson said that over many years, both sides have developed patterns of patrolling and it is a reasonable expectation that patrols will not be obstructed in the discharge of their legitimate duties. He said that while there have been occasional departures in the past, the conduct of Chinese forces this year has been in complete disregard of all mutually agreed norms.

‘China making untenable claims’

He also referred to China seeking to change its position in respect of Galwan Valley.

“The deployment of a large body of troops and changes in behaviour has also been aggravated by unjustified and untenable claims. The recent shift in the Chinese position on the Galwan Valley is one example,” he said.

“Maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas is the basis of the bilateral relationship. It is imperative that the established mechanisms are used by both parties to address the current situation. The meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) yesterday was, therefore, a significant development. It was preceded by a discussion among senior military commanders on June 22 that focused on the implementation of the understandings reached between them on 6 June 2020,” he said.

Srivastava, who gave a detailed response to a volley of questions on the border tensions between India and China during the weekly vitural media briefing, said India has made its position clear on the unfolding developments in the western sector of India China Border areas in recent days.

“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,” he said.

‘Chinese tried to alter status quo in mid-May’

“In mid-May, the Chinese side sought to change the status quo in other areas of the Western Sector. We had registered our protest on the Chinese actions through both the diplomatic and military channels, and made it clear that any such change was unacceptable to us,” he added.

The spokesperson said that subsequently, senior commanders met on June 6, 2020 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,” he said.

Referring to his statement on June 20, 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 June 15, 2020 that directly resulted in casualties. Thereafter, both sides remain deployed in large numbers in the region, while military and diplomatic contacts are continuing,” he said.