Want complete disengagement at LAC: India to China in Russia
Can’t lose an inch of territory, says China after meet
In the first high- level political contact between the two countries ever since the border tensions between them flared- up in early May, defence minister Rajnath Singh categorically told his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe that there should be no doubt about India’s determination to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and China should not make attempts to unilaterally change status quo at the Line of Actual Control ( LAC).
Mr Singh also said that the current situation should be handled responsibly and that neither side should take any action that could either complicate the situation or escalate matters.
Mr Singh met General Wei in Moscow on Friday at the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation ( SCO) in Moscow for two- and- ahalf hours. However, no breakthrough seems to have emerged from the bilateral meeting.
Chinese state media reported that during the meeting Gen. Wei said that India bears full responsibility for current China- India border tensions and that the Chinese military has determination, capability
and confidence to safeguard China’s territorial integrity. Gen. Wei reportedly also said that “not an inch of China’s territory should be lost.”
The Chinese statement comes in backdrop of Indian Army’s move to preempt PLA and occupy over two dozen strategic peaks on the southern banks of Pangong Tso and Spanggur Gap. This has not gone down well with Beijing.
Indian defence ministry said in a statement that the two ministers had frank and in- depth discussions about developments in the India- China border areas as well as on IndiaChina relations. “Raksha Mantri categorically conveyed India’s position on the developments along the Line of Actual Control ( LAC), including in the Galwan valley in the Western Sector of the India- China border areas in the last few months,” said the defence ministry statement.
Mr Singh told the Chinese delegation that the actions of the Chinese troops, including amassing of large number of troops, their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of the bilateral agreements and not in keeping with the understandings reached between the Special Representatives of two sides.
He said that Chinese side should work with India for complete disengagement at the earliest from all friction areas, including Pangong Lake as well as de- escalation in border areas in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols on maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas. Mr Singh also conveyed that the two sides should continue their discussions, including through diplomatic and military channels, to ensure complete disengagement and de- escalation at the earliest.
“Raksha Mantri stated clearly that while Indian troops have always taken a very responsible approach towards border management, at the same time there should be no doubt about our determination to protect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
— India’s defence ministry
During the meeting Gen. Wei said that India bears full responsibility for current border tensions and Chinese military has capability and confidence to safeguard China’s territorial integrity. Gen. Wei reportedly also said that ‘ not an inch of China’s territory should be lost’ — Chinese state media