Chinese activity is entirely responsible for the tense situation that has prevailed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh for the past four months. China wants to change the status quo along the LAC unilaterally. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava made the allegations in response to multiple questions about the border situation at a weekly briefing on Thursday. He said the situation needs to be tackled responsibly.
The situation in East Ladakh has been tense since last June. China's military is trying to unilaterally change the status quo of the LAC. On 15 June there was a bloody clash. There were casualties on both sides. 20 Indian soldiers were killed. Since then, talks between the two sides at the military level and at the diplomatic level have continued, but tensions have not abated. Meanwhile, the Chinese attempt to change the situation in the southern part of Pangong Lake was thwarted by the Indian forces. The Indian military claims that Chinese troops tried to change the situation south of Pangong Lake last Monday. India has not only thwarted it, it has taken over the militarily important 'black top'. Soon after the incident, China officially accused India of violating the LAC. This is the first such Chinese complaint in East Ladakh.
In response to multiple questions about the ongoing situation in the LAC, the Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that China's behavior was merely provocative. Their conduct violated bilateral agreements and protocols. Destroyed peace and stability on the border. He said talks were the only way to end the stalemate and defuse tensions. The only way is to negotiate at the military level and at the diplomatic level. India wants an end to all disputes through peaceful talks. He said the two countries have an agreement to solve the problem. The situation should be dealt with in accordance with that understanding so that peace and stability can be maintained.
A conference of foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is being held in Moscow, Russia. Foreign Minister S Jayashankar is going to attend that conference. The conference is scheduled to start on September 10. The Chinese Foreign Minister will also be present there. For the time being, there is intense speculation as to whether border tensions between the two Indo-Chinese foreign ministers are being discussed during the recess of the conference.
