The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava while briefing the media has said that both India and China are engaged at different levels to address tensions, but New Delhi will “make no compromises on sovereignty and national security”.
Srivastav made these comments while reacting to a question on US President Donald Trump’s mediation offer over the rising tensions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China.
Earlier, US President had said that he was willing to mediate between the two nations after tension escalated at multiple locations across the LAC.
Trump, who has in the past repeatedly offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir and been rebuffed, made the latest offer through a tweet.
He also said he had informed India and China of his offer.
China and India have been locked in a standoff with each other in eastern Ladakh region, where the situation deteriorated after around 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent fist-fight on the evening of May 5. The standoff spilled over to the next day before the two sides agreed to “disengage” following a meeting at the level of local commanders.
In the midst of the escalating tension, Army Chief General MM Naravane paid a quiet visit to the headquarters of 14 Corps in Leh on May 22 and reviewed with the top commanders the overall security scenario in the region including in the disputed areas along the LAC — the de-facto border between India and China.
China has also decided to evacuate its citizens in India.
Satellite images show massive construction activity at a high altitude Chinese air base, located just 200 kilometres away from the Pangong Lake, the site of the skirmish between forces of India and China on May 5 and May 6.
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