India’s Jaishankar conveys strong message to Beijing
“What happened in Galwan was premeditated and planned action by China which was responsible for the sequence of events.”
By IAR Desk
New Delhi June 17: India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the phone to discuss the situation in Eastern Ladakh, reported ANI.
The Indian minister conveyed a strong message to his Chinese counterpart, “What happened in Galwan was premeditated and planned action by China which was responsible for the sequence of events.”
Recalling that at the meeting of senior Military Commanders held on 6th June, an agreement was reached on de-escalation and disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), he said ground commanders were meeting regularly to implement this consensus throughout the last week. While there was some progress, the Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan valley on our side of the LAC. 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.
The minister further underlined that this unprecedented development will have a “serious impact on the bilateral relationship. The need of the hour was for the Chinese side to reassess its actions and take corrective steps.”
He called for both sides totscrupulously and sincerely implement the understanding that was reached by the Senior Commanders on 6th June. “Troops of both sides should also abide by the bilateral agreements and protocols. They should strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control and should not take any unilateral action to alter it.”
At least 20 Indian soldiers had been killed in the violent face-off with China in Galwan valley in Eastern Ladakh, government sources had said. Many more soldiers are reported to be in hospital withwserious wounds and casualty numbers could rise.
At least 35 Chinese soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army are also reported to have died in the violence though there has been no official statement from Beijing.
The official Chinese mouthpiece The China Daily wrote that “China has not released details of the deaths and injuries on its side, in an attempt to avoid any notion of winners or losers and prevent any escalation of tensions, but with casualties on both sides.”
It reported that Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had informed Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that India has to bear the blame for the latest tragedy because its troops twice crossed the Line of Actual Control on Monday to launch attacks on Chinese personnel.
The commanding Officer of the Chinese Unit involved in the face-off with Indian troops in the Galwan Valley among those killed, reported ANI.
Earlier Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had condoled the deaths of the soldiers in Galwan, describing it as “deeply disturbing and painful”. “Our soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. Nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers. The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult hour. We are proud of the bravery and courage of India’s Bravehearts,” the minister said.
According to the Indian Army statement Indian & Chinese troops have disengaged at Galwan area where they had earlier clashed on the night of 15/16 June 2020.
