New Delhi: India on Thursday said the border tension in Ladakh over the past four months is a “direct result” of Chinese actions aimed at effecting unilateral change in the status quo of the region, and asserted that the only way forward to resolve it was through negotiations.
The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) that squarely put the blame on China for the prolonged border standoff came even as Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) Gen. Bipin Rawat asserted that India’s armed forces are capable of handling aggressive Chinese actions in “best suitable ways”.
Amid a fresh flareup at the Line of Actual Control(LAC), Army Chief Gen. M M Naravane began a two-day visit to Ladakh on Thursday to have a first hand look at India’s overall combat readiness in the region.
At an online media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the Chinese actions resulted in “violation” of the bilateral agreements and protocol which ensured peace and tranquility in the border areas for close to three decades.
He urged the Chinese side to “sincerely” engage with India 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.
“It is clear that the situation we witnessed 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,” he said.
“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.”
Srivastava said the only way ahead now is negotiations, both through the diplomatic and military channels, adding the Indian side is “firmly committed” to resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue. (PTI)
