New Delhi hits out at neighbor for ‘provocative behavior’, rubbishes China’s Ladakh standoff allegations
Ladakh – Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that China hasn’t backed out from sending a large number of its troops and equipment in the border areas of conflict. India had no option but to respond with appropriate action by deploying its troops to the region. India has hit back at China over attempts of pinning blame on it for the eastern Ladakh standoff. Delhi on Thursday has asserted that Beijing’s “provocative behavior” and attempts to change the status quo at Line of Actual Control (LAC) have led to regional conflict.
China has raised false allegations against India that the reason for escalating tensions between the two countries was New Delhi’s act of “illegally” encroaching territory of China.
On Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused India to be responsible for escalated tensions in the eastern Ladakh region owing to the latter’s “forward policy”. “India has long been following the forward policy and illegally encroached upon China’s territory across the border,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a media briefing. He asserted, “This is the root cause of the tensions.”
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Replying to media about Beijing’s allegations, Mr. Bagchi said. “It was the amassing of a large number of troops by the Chinese side, their provocative behavior and unilateral attempts to alter status quo in contravention of all our bilateral agreements that resulted in serious disturbance of peace and tranquillity along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.” He added, “China continues to deploy a large number of troops and armaments in the border areas. It was in response to Chinese actions, that our armed forces had to make appropriate counter deployments in these areas to ensure that India’s security interests are fully protected.”
Mr. Bagchi added that allegations by China have no basis and that India hopes the neighbor will work towards resolving the remaining issues in a speedy manner while following the protocols of bilateral arrangements between the two countries.
Referring to Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar’s message to his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Bagchi said, “As emphasized by the external affairs minister in his meeting with Chinese foreign minister earlier this month, it is our expectation that the Chinese side will work towards early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols.”
