India maintains that it is firmly committed to resolve all outstanding issues along the LAC in the Western Sector through peaceful dialogue

India on Tuesday slammed China for resorting to provocative action on August 31 even as the ground commanders of the two sides were in discussion to deescalate the situation on the border.

“Even as the ground commanders of the two sides were in discussions to de-escalate the situation, the Chinese troops again engaged in provocative action,” Ministry of External Affairs’ spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a statement.

“The actions and behavior of the Chinese side since earlier this year along the LAC has been in clear violation of the bilateral agreements and protocols concluded between the two countries to ensure peace and tranquility on the border,” he said

India and China have been closely engaged through diplomatic and military channels over the past three months to resolve the situation along the India-China border.

Despite this the Chinese side “violated this understanding and engaged in provocative military maneuvers in the late night of 29th and on 30th August in an attempt to change the status quo in the South Bank area of Pangong Lake.” However, due to the timely defensive action, the Indian side was able to prevent these attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo.

But as stated by Indian Army, 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.

“Such actions are in complete disregard to the understandings reached between the two Foreign Ministers as also the Special Representatives,” MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

It should be remembered that Foreign Ministers of India and China and also Special Representatives of the two countries had agreed that the situation should be handled in a responsible manner and either side should not take any provocative action or escalate matters and ensure peace and tranquility as per bilateral agreements and protocol.

“We have taken up the matter of recent provocative and aggressive actions with Chinese side through both diplomatic and military channels and have urged them to discipline and control their frontline troops from undertaking such provocative actions,” MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

He further added that the Indian side is firmly committed to resolve all outstanding issues along the LAC in the Western Sector through peaceful dialogue.

“In this context, we expect the Chinese side to sincerely abide by the understanding reached earlier and earnestly work with India to resolve the situation and to restore peace and tranquility in the border areas,” the MEA spokesperson said.