New Delhi (NVI): India today said that the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, as part of the ongoing de-escalation process in the area, leading to a violent face-off and casualties on the two sides last night.
An Indian Army Colonel and two jawans were killed in the area along LAC last night, as Army issued a statement today saying that there were “casualties on both sides.”
External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “On the late-evening and night of 15th June, 2020 a violent face-off happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there.”
Srivastava said that both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided “had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.”
“Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side,” he added.
The MEA spokesman also recalled that senior commanders had a productive meeting on June 6 and agreed on a process for such de-escalation. “Subsequently, ground commanders had a series of meetings to implement the consensus reached at a higher level,” he said.
“While it was our expectation that this would unfold smoothly, the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley,” he said.
Srivastava further stated that India remains firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue. “At the same time, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Earlier today, the army spokesperson said, “During the de-escalation process underway in the Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place yesterday night with casualties on both sides. The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers.”
Senior military officials from both sides were meeting at the venue to defuse the situation, he added. According to sources Major General level talks are also underway.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also today reviewed the current operational situation in Eastern Ladakh, consequent to yesterday’s violent faceoff on the LAC, along with CDS General Bipin Rawat and the chiefs of three services. External Affairs Minister S Jaisahnkar was also present during the meeting.
This is the first loss of lives in a clash with the PLA on the disputed India China border since 1975 when an Indian patrol was ambushed by Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh.
A scuffle between the soldiers of both sides at Pangong Tso (eastern Ladakh) and Naku la (in Sikkim) came in early last month and since then, tensions between the troops on the two sides have escalated. After that, both sides mobilised thousands of troops and heavy military equipment along the LAC.
