New Delhi (NVI): India today slammed China over prevailing tensions at the Line of Actual Control in the Ladakh, saying that the volatile situation at LAC over the past four months is a “direct result” of the actions taken by the Chinese side “that sought to effect unilateral change of status quo” in the region.
“These actions resulted in violation of the bilateral agreements and protocol which ensured peace and tranquility in the border areas for close to three decades,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said here.
The MEA statement comes amid fresh incursion attempts by the Chinese troops at LAC in Ladakh that were foiled by the Indian Army.
According to the External Affairs Ministry, Chinese troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo in the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake in Eastern Ladakh on the night of August 29 and early morning on August 30.
The Chinese troops again engaged in “provocative action” along the LAC on Monday, even as the ground commanders of the two sides were in discussions to de-escalate the situation. That brazen attempt too was thwarted by the alert Indian troops.
While addressing the weekly media briefing, Srivastava said that now the way ahead is negotiations, both through the diplomatic and military channels. “The Indian side is firmly committed to resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue,” he added.
The MEA has strongly urged the Chinese side to “sincerely engage the Indian side with the objective of expeditiously restoring the peace and tranquility in the border areas through complete disengagement and de-escalation in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols.”
Regarding the fresh incursion attempts by the Chinese troops at LAC in Eastern Ladakh, Srivastava said that the ground commanders are still holding discussions to resolve the situation.
“We reiterate the consensus reached between the two Foreign Ministers and SRs that the situation in the border should be handled in a responsible manner and either side should not take any provocative action or escalate matters,” he said.
-ARK
