India has accused China of ‘provocative military movements’ near the disputed border in Pangong lake in Ladakh, India.
India’s defense ministry said in a statement that People’s Liberation Army, the armed forces of the Chinese Communist Party, carried out “provocative military movements to change the status quo” on the bank of Pangong lake in Ladakh.
In the violation of the “previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements”, China moved a large number of troops near the disputed border, according to the statement. Both countries have been locked in a stand-off since May. India claims that it has taken the necessary measures to thwart Chinese aggression.
The Sino-Indian tensions began in May this year when China began garrisoning the Himalayan border by sending troops and artillery in that area, including near the Pangong lake. Both sides reportedly traded verbal warnings and even threw stones at each other.
The conflict morphed into a full-fledged armed confrontation in Galwan valley, resulting in heavy casualties on the Indian side, as the number of Chinese casualties is not known. This was the worst combat between the Asian giants since 1967. Soldiers reportedly fought with rocks and spikes.
Both countries then publicly announced to de-escalate the tensions and send their troops back to their previous positions. Multiple attempts of diplomatic and military level discussions have failed, and India and China have been in deadlock since. Both countries have also increased construction and movement in the disputed region: China has kept a significant number of troops near the Pangong lake, built helipads, roads and radar towers, and reportedly deployed fighter jets near the border; India has retaliated by building infrastructure and carrying out frequent air patrols in the region.
China denies all of these allegations. In a news briefing on Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that the Chinese soldiers never “cross the line of actual control.” He also said that both countries are communicating regarding the situation on the ground. Military officials from both sides reportedly met on Monday at Chushul, a village in Ladakh, to discuss the issue.