Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that China’s attempts to alter the status quo at the border between the two countries were in violation of the bilateral agreements. Singh made a statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday on the border row with China in eastern Ladakh.

“Chinese actions reflect a disregard of our various bilateral agreements. The amassing of the troops by China goes against the 1993 and 1996 Agreements. Respecting and strictly observing Line of Actual Control is the basis for peace and tranquility in the border areas,” Singh said in the Upper House of the Parliament.

Rajnath’s statement comes amid sharp Opposition criticism of the government over repeated transgressions by China’s People’s Liberation Army at Pangong Lake and several other areas in Ladakh since April. The matter flared up in June when 20 Indian soldiers died in violent clashes between the armies of the two Asian giants.

Singh made a statement in the Lok Saba on Tuesday, saying Beijing has been very clearly conveyed that any attempt to “unilaterally” change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control is not at all acceptable, and that India’s armed forces are ready to deal with “all contingencies” in the high-altitude region.

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Referring to his meeting with Chinese counterpart in Moscow last week, he said India told China that it is committed to resolve issues in a peaceful manner while maintaining the territorial integrity.

“China doesn’t recognise the traditional and customary alignment of the boundary. We consider that this alignment is based on well established geographical principals,” Rajnath Singh said.

“India and China border issue remains unresolved. Till now, there has been no mutually acceptable solution. China disagrees on border,” he added.

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