India on Friday claimed that the military standoff between the country and China over that last six months is a result of actions taken by the latter, which sought to bring in a “unilateral change” in the status along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava made the comments while addressing a press conference that sought to seek his stance regarding the Chinese foreign Ministry’s allegations that India was responsible for the standoff.
“Our position has been very clear and has been articulated several times in the past. The situation that we have seen since the last six months has been a result of the actions of the Chinese side which has sought to effect a unilateral change in status along the LAC in eastern Ladakh,” Srivastava said.
“These actions are in violation of the bilateral agreements and protocol on ensuring peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the India-China border areas,” he added.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday blamed India again for the border standoff in eastern Ladakh.
“We have taken note of the Chinese side’s statement that it observes ‘'strictly the agreements between the two sides and is committed to resolving the border issue through dialogue and safeguarding peace and tranquillity’ in the border areas. We expect that the Chinese side will match its words with actions,” Srivastava noted.
Since early May, Indian and Chinese armies have been locked in a tense border standoff in Eastern Ladakh along the LAC, despite several rounds of diplomatic talks.
Srivastava said the two sides have continued to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels.
“It is our expectation that the further discussions will help both sides to achieve an agreement on a mutually acceptable solution for ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in the Western sector and full restoration of peace and tranquillity as early as possible,” the MEA spokesperson highlighted.