New Delhi: Breaking its silence on the Galwan valley face-off with Chinese troops, Indian government today put direct blame on China for creating conflict at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), for the first time after violent skirmish, came out with strong counter to Chinese claims and rather blamed it for escalating the border conflict.
The MEA spokesperson made these remarks when questioned about statement of Chinese spokesperson on Galwan face-off.
“The position with regard to the Galwan Valley area has been historically clear. Attempts by the Chinese side to now advance exaggerated and untenable claims with regard to Line of Actual Control (LAC) there are not acceptable. They are not in accordance with China’s own position in the past,” said Anurag Srivastava, MEA official spokesperson.
High points of MEA statement on China aggression:
Indian troops have always patrolled Galwan valley without interruption
Galwan valley Indian territory, Chinese claims not acceptable
Galwan valley as Indian territory… is historically clear
China reneged on its de-escalation pledge
Chinese attempts to change status quo exaggerated and untenable
“Since early May 2020, 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. We do not accept the contention that India was unilaterally changing the status quo. On the contrary, we were maintaining it.” Said the MEA spokesperson.
‘China tried to transgress in May, given befitting response’
“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 invariably met with an appropriate response from us. 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,” the MEA spokesperson said.
