Chinese activity on Indian side led to Galwan Valley clash: MEA

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 18

It was an attempt by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to erect a structure in Galwan valley on the Indian side of the LAC that triggered the clash, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated at a media briefing here on Thursday.

On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also said the source of the dispute was the attempt by PLA to erect a structure in Galwan valley on the Indian side of the LAC on June 15.

Read also: China to lose two Indian public sector tenders after Galwan Valley clash

“While this became a source of dispute, the Chinese side took pre-meditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties. It reflected an intent to change the facts on ground in violation of all our agreements to not change the status quo,’’ said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastav.

He recalled that at the meeting of senior Military Commanders held on June 6, an agreement was reached on de-escalation and disengagement along the LAC. But the PLA took premeditated and planned action that was “directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties suffered by both sides”, he said.

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 Chinese side to also confine its activities to its side of the LAC,” added Srivastav.

The two sides remain in regular touch through their respective embassies and foreign offices while at the ground level the two sides have maintained communication at the commanders’ level.  Meetings of other established diplomatic mechanisms such as Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC) are under discussion.

While we remain firmly convinced of the need for maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the borders areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue, at the same time, as PM Modi stated, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, he added.

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