Talk on LAC now, India tells China

Blames China’s actions for current impasse

Blaming China for the situation over the last four months in the Ladakh sector that was a “direct result” of China trying to unilaterally change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India on Thursday clearly said the “way ahead” was “negotiations” through both military and diplomatic channels.

New Delhi added it was “firmly committed” to a “peaceful dialogue” and urged China to “sincerely engage” India to restore peace and tranquillity at the LAC. New Delhi also made it clear that Beijing “should not take any provocative action or escalate matters”, which comes after the latest round of Chinese military actions at Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh both on the night of August 29 and on August 31.

In an escalation of the war of words, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said in a statement that it was “seriously concerned” over and “firmly opposed” the Indian government’s decision to block 118 mobile apps (on the grounds of being prejudicial to India’s security), saying these “national security” grounds were an “excuse” and it “urges the Indian government to rectify the discriminatory practices violating World Trade Organisation rules”.

Beijing said “suppression, self-seclusion and restrictions cannot benefit one country’s development”, and told New Delhi to “return to the right path of win-win cooperation”.

New Delhi, however, remained firm on its decision, and the external affairs ministry said on Thursday that companies needed to follow Indian laws.

In yet another signal to Beijing, the MEA also said India looked forward to hosting a meeting of the four-nation block — comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia — that focuses on the maintenance of a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.