Stating that India is committed to a peaceful resolution of the current border stand-off with China in Ladakh, Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh has said that any attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo by the neighbouring country is unacceptable.
Singh mentioned in a statement in Lok Sabha that Indian army has inflicted heavy costs including casualties on the Chinese side during the clash with the PLA at the Galwan valley on June 15, news agency PTI reported.
Singh added that buildup of troops and armaments by the Chinese side has been witnessed in the border areas adjacent to eastern Ladakh since April 2020.
He said in early May, the Chinese side had taken action to hinder the normal, traditional patrolling pattern of Indian troops in the Galwan Valley area, which resulted in a face-off.
Singh stated that Chinese side made several attempts to transgress the LAC in other parts of the Western Sector in mid-May even as this situation was being addressed by the ground commanders as per the provisions of the bilateral agreements and protocol.
“This included Kongka La, Gogra and North Bank of Pangong Lake. These attempts were detected early and consequently responded to appropriately by our armed forces. We made it clear to the Chinese side both through diplomatic and military channels that China was, by such actions, attempting to unilaterally alter the status quo. It was categorically conveyed that this was unacceptable,” The defence minister was quoted by the report as having said.
Later, when Singh finished his statement, the opposition party Indian National Congress wanted to raise certain issues which were not allowed by Speaker Om Birla. Unhappy with this, Congress walked out of the House, the report added.
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