Mansarovar yatra hits Chinese wall
BEIJING: China on Tuesday lodged protests in Beijing and New Delhi against Indian soldiers’ “trespassing” into its territory and indicated the Mansarovar Yatra would remain suspended till India “withdrew” its troops.
The ministry of foreign affairs made it clear it would leverage the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a major confidence-building measure between the two neighbours, in the standoff along the Line of Actual Control in Sikkim.
In a late-night statement, China cited an 1890 treaty signed between the British-Indian government and the then ruling Chinese Qing dynasty on Sikkim to say India was violating rules established 127 years ago.
The statement by the ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) said according to the treaty, the border region contested by India is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
“The first paragraph of the Sino-British Treaty on SikkimTibet Convention of 1890 stipulates (explanation of Art 1 of the treaty). According to the treaty, “zhe” is the ancient name of Sikkim. According to this treaty, the border area of area contested by Indian side is located on the Chinese side of the border,” the statement said. Quoting the treaty, the Chinese government said: “The Sikkim segment of the China-India border is recognised by both China and India, which has been recognised by successive Indian governments.”
“As to the Indian pilgrims’ journey through Nathu La pass in the Sikkim section, I think the Indian side is very clear about it. For a long time, the Chinese government has made enormous efforts to provide necessary convenience for those Indian pilgrims. But recently, the Indian border personnel trespassed the Chinese border to obstruct construction so we have taken necessary actions,” ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said.
For a long time, the Chinese government has made enormous efforts to provide necessary convenience to Indian pilgrims. But recently, the Indian border personnel trespassed the Chinese border to obstruct construction so we have taken necessary actions.
LU KANG, spokesperson for China’s foreign affairs ministry