Chinese state media says its troops tightened control in Galwan Valley after India face-off
The Chinese confirmation of increased tensions at the LAC comes amidst moves by India to downplay the incident.
SNEHESH ALEX PHILIP 18 May, 2020 6:02 pm IST
Representational image of Chinese Soldiers | D. Myles Cullen/Commons
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New Delhi: Chinese border defence troops have made the “necessary moves” and “enhanced control measures” at the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh, the country’s state media has reported.
The Galwan Valley is the region where Chinese soldiers clashed with the Indian Army resulting in several injuries earlier this month.
The report by Global Times, said China’s border defence troops have taken necessary measures to strengthen an on-the-spot response and control of border areas, “resolutely safeguarding China’s sovereignty and security and maintaining peace and stability in border areas”.
The confirmation by China of increased tensions at the LAC comes amidst a move by India to downplay the incident.
“Temporary and short duration face-offs between border guarding troops do occur along the LAC due to the differing perceptions of the alignment of boundaries, which are not resolved,” Army chief Gen. M.M. Naravane
had said in a statement last Thursday. “There were two incidents at Eastern Ladakh and North Sikkim where aggressive behaviour by both sides resulted in minor injuries to troops, post which both sides disengaged after dialogue and interaction at local level.”
Gen. Naravane had also
said that face-offs happen for a number of reasons, including when a new local commander moves in. He added that there was aggression by both sides.
ThePrint had
reported on 10 May that even though “official disengagement” has happened, additional troops have been pressed in.
The Chinese have set up a number of tents on their side to cater to the additional troops.
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India purposely instigated conflicts: Chinese media
The
Global Times report has blamed India for the incident on the evening of 5 May when Chinese troops attacked Indian soldiers near the Galwan river in Eastern Ladakh.
Chinese troops had objected to Indian presence there claiming it was their territory, which the Army had rejected.
Giving its version of events, the
Global Times, citing sources, said that since early May, India has been crossing the boundary line in the Galwan Valley region and entering Chinese territory.
“The Indian side built defence fortifications and obstacles to disrupt Chinese border defense troops’ normal patrol activities, purposefully instigated conflicts and attempted to unilaterally change the current border control situation,” it said.
It added that the Galwan Valley region is Chinese territory, and the local border control situation was very clear.
“The actions by the Indian side have seriously violated China and India’s agreements on border issues, violated China’s territorial sovereignty and harmed military relations between the two countries,” it said.
The Indian Army has been reached for reaction on the Chinese media report and the copy will be updated as and when it comes.
Citing the same source, the Chinese report said the border troops of China and India will keep in touch with each other on the current situation through meetings and representations.
https://theprint.in/defence/chinese...in-galwan-valley-after-india-face-off/424366/