India was the first non-communist country in Asia to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China on April 1, 1950. But the plans for celebrating the 70th anniversary of the event have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the cancellation of 70th anniversary events, a senior Chinese official is reported to have said that the two countries “will emerge stronger and their relationship can scale new heights after the pandemic.” The presidents and the premiers on both sides have exchanged congratulatory messages and have made the expected euphoric statements about the two working together to “bring more benefits to the two countries and peoples and contribute more positive energy to Asia as well as the world.” Despite all of this China and India were at it again this month. According to Indian news reports, border patrols from both countries have been involved in a series of incidents along their disputed boundary in recent weeks, including a pair of confrontations in early May that devolved into fisticuffs.
On May 10, Indian and Chinese troops clashed in north Sikkim (Naku La), which adjoins the 3,448-kilometer Line of Actual Control (LAC) that informally delimits the disputed Sino-Indian frontier. At an altitude of more than 16,000 feet, Chinese and Indian troops engaged in hand-to-hand fighting and stone-pelting, with both sides sustaining “minor” injuries. The Indian Army’s statement claims the incident left 11injured on the Indian side. At least 20 Indian Army personnel, including a commanding officer, gave their lives for the country in the clashes with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night. China’s official media has also acknowledged casualties on the Chinese side without mentioning numbers. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said today that after this incident both sides are in communication and coordination on the matter through diplomatic and military channels.
“Both sides agreed to deal with the serious matter caused by the conflict at the Valley in a just manner, jointly observe the commander level talks consensus and deescalate the tensions as soon as possible and safeguard the peace and tranquillity,” he said.
“Currently, the overall situation is stable and controllable. We believe under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries the sides can deal with the relevant matter jointly safeguard peace and stability at the border areas and work for sound development of bilateral relations,” Mr Zhao said.
On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the two sides agreed to “cool down” tensions on the ground “as soon as possible” and maintain peace and tranquillity in the border area under the agreement reached between the two countries. During the briefing, the spokesman read out the whole press statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday on the telephonic conversation between Mr Wang and Mr Jaishankar.During the conversation, Mr Jaishankar conveyed to Mr Wang India’s protest in the strongest terms on the violent face-off and said the unprecedented development will have “serious impact” on the bilateral ties. He asked the Chinese side to reassess its actions and take corrective steps, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement in New Delhi
Monday’s face-off was the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after their 1967 clashes in NathuLa when India lost around 80 soldiers while over 300 Chinese army personnel were killed in the face-off. The Indian Army has been fiercely objecting to the transgressions, and demanded their immediate withdrawal for restoration of peace and tranquillity in the area. Both sides held a series of talks in the last few days to resolve the row.
The India-China boundary dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). Asked about the brutal attack on Col Santosh Babu and other Indian soldiers, with iron rods and spikes by Chinese soldiers, Mr Zhao reiterated China’s allegation, squarely blaming Indian troops for the incident.
“The right and wrong of this case is very clear and responsibility doesn’t lie with the Chinese side,” he claimed.
India has trashed China’s claim of sovereignty over the Galwan Valley, saying such “exaggerated” and “untenable” claims are contrary to the understanding reached during a high-level military dialogue on June 6.
In a sharp reaction to the claim on Galwan Valley by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava referred to an agreement reached between the Chinese and Indian militaries on “disengagement” during the Lt General-level talks on June 6.
“Making exaggerated and untenable claims is contrary to this understanding,” he said in a statement in New Delhi early on Thursday.
The Galwan Valley in Ladakh was the site of the violent clash between the two militaries on Monday night in which a Colonel and 19 other Indian Army personnel were killed in action. China’s official media has acknowledged casualties on the Chinese side as well, but hasn’t mentioned the number of casualties yet. To a question about satellite photos taken on June 16 showing China building a dam on the Galwan river blocking its water flow and whether it violated any agreement with India, Mr Zhao said, “I am not aware of the specifics you mentioned”.
During Thursday’s press briefing, Mr Zhao referred to Wednesday’s telephone talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during which, he pointed out that, “both sides agreed to deal with the serious situation caused by the conflict in a just manner and jointly observe the consensus reached at the commander level meeting, de-escalate tensions as soon as possible”.
In the background of vicious go head to head between Indian Army and Chinese soldiers in Galwan valley Ladakh, in which 20 Indian Army staff lost their lives, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Wednesday said that dealers have guaranteed to help CAIT’s national development to blacklist Chinese items and advance Indian merchandise.
The CAIT has likewise asked the administration to make certain quick strides like dropping Chinese agreements and making rules for pulling back venture by Chinese organizations into Indian new companies and partnerships, to give a “solid befitting reaction to China for their exploitative and primitive activities against the Indian troopers”.
CAIT National President BC Bhartia has encouraged the Government to take a solid stand on China and in this manner quickly drop all administration contracts granted to Chinese organizations.
He said that throughout the most recent couple of months, Chinese organizations have been making firm advances into different government contracts and by offering at extremely low rates and along these lines they can pack a few government venture tenders. Bhartia said the legislature should rather support Indian organizations regardless of whether there is a minimal contrast in cost.
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