India accuses China of new provocative border violation
NEW DELHI: The Indian military on Monday accused China of carrying out provocative movements on their contested Himalayan border where 20 Indian troops were killed in June.
An Indian defence ministry statement said the incidents happened in eastern Ladakh on Saturday night but did not indicate whether there was a new clash.
It said Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops “carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo” at the border, adding the two sides were holding military talks on Monday.
On June 15, troops from the two sides fought hand-to-hand combat in which 20 Indian troops were killed, while China also acknowledged casualties but did not give numbers.
The Chinese and Indian militaries have deployed tens of thousands of troops into the region since the June standoff but military and diplomatic talks on easing tensions are in an apparent stalemate.
The Indian statement said Chinese troops “violated the consensus” to ease border tensions.
“Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground,” said the ministry. “A brigade commander level flag meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues.”
China did not confirm the incident but said border troops “have always strictly respected the Line of Actual Control and never crossed the line,” referring to the unofficial border.
“Border troops from both sides have maintained communication over issues on the ground,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing.
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