‘Chinese troops took provocative action despite talks of de-escalation’: Centre

The Centre on Tuesday said that the Chinese troops were engaged in provocative military manoeuvers on August 29 and 30 in an attempt to change the status quo in the South Bank area of Pangong Lake in Ladakh. 

The foreign ministry said that the step was taken by China despite the talks of de-escalation were going on between the ground commanders on August 31. 

The Indian Army prevented the provocative measures taken by the Chinese side in their attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

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The Indian and Chinese soldiers are engaged in a border standoff in eastern Ladakh for three months. The tension between Indian and Chinese troops have escalated in eastern Ladakh since June 15, when 20 soldiers of the Indian Army were killed after a violent clash.

The neighbouring countries have been engaged in diplomatic and military level talks to resolve the issue along the India-China border since June. India said that China violated the understanding of the talks through these channels and took provocative measures on August 29-30.

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“The Indian side responded to these provocative actions and took appropriate defensive measures along the LAC in order to safeguard our interests and defend the territorial integrity,” the Centre said.

The foreign ministry said that India has taken up this matter through both diplomatic and military channels and has urged China to control its troops from undertaking such provocative actions.