New Delhi (NVI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today spoke to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the phone and conveyed India’s protest in “strongest terms” on the violent face-off in Galwan Valley in Ladakh on June 15.
At least 20 Indian troops have been killed in the clashes with China’s PLA on the intervening night of June 15 and 16.
Lodging a strong protest over the incident, the EAM underlined that this unprecedented development will have a serious impact on the bilateral relationship, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. “The need of the hour was for the Chinese side to reassess its actions and take corrective steps,” he said in his conversation with Wang Yi.
Jaishankar also recalled that at the meeting of senior Military Commanders held on 6th June, an agreement was reached on de-escalation and disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). “Ground commanders were meeting regularly to implement this consensus throughout the last week,” he said.
He further conveyed that while there was some progress on the de-escalation process, the Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan valley on our side of the LAC.
“While this became a source of dispute, the Chinese side took pre-meditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties. It reflected an intent to change the facts on ground in violation of all our agreements to not change the status quo,” he said.
The EAM added that the two sides should scrupulously and sincerely implement the understanding that was reached by the Senior Commanders on 6th June. “Troops of both sides should also abide by the bilateral agreements and protocols. They should strictly respect and observe the line of actual control and should not take any unilateral action to alter it,” he said.
MEA said that at the conclusion of the discussion, it was agreed that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner, and both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of 6 June sincerely.
“Neither side would take any action to escalate matters and instead, ensure peace and tranquillity as per bilateral agreements and protocols,” the Ministry said.
-ARK
