Jayaprakash Ranjan, New Delhi. A bloody clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Galvan region in eastern Ladakh on Monday evening raised the strategic and diplomatic temperatures in the capital of both countries. Local military commanders briefed the New Delhi Ministry of Defense on Monday late night. On Tuesday too, the PMO is in discussion with the Defense Ministry and the Foreign Ministry throughout the day. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had a two-stage meeting with the Chief of Defense Staff and the Chiefs of the three Services, Ministry of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, and then PM Narendra Modi was briefed on the entire situation by the Defense Minister and the External Affairs Minister.
After this whole development, India’s strategy is that it will not try to increase military skirmishes with China on its behalf, but it will not tolerate any offensive by Chinese military personnel.
Chinese soldiers unilaterally tried to change the situation
The official statement made by the Indian Foreign Ministry after the day-long meetings also points towards this strategy. Foreign Ministry spokesman Anurag Shrivastava has placed full responsibility for Monday’s events on China. He said that during the talks between the two sides on June 6, 2020, it was agreed that peace would be maintained and the status quo restored on the border but Chinese troops unilaterally tried to change the situation on Monday. If the Chinese side had implemented the consent made between the officials on the ground, then the loss on both sides could have been avoided.
India has always been clear that its military activities are within its limits and expects the Chinese Army to do the same. Srivastava further said that India is committed to maintaining peace and stability along the border through dialogue but we are also very committed to maintaining India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China Foreign Ministry blamed India on the contrary
Separate statements have been issued by the spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry and China’s Western War Zone. The Chinese Foreign Ministry on the contrary has alleged that on 15 June, the Indian Army, surprisingly, tried to cross the border twice and attacked Chinese soldiers, in violation of the previously agreed consent. This has resulted in physical conflict between the two sides. China has lodged a protest that the Indian Army should not cross the border and provoke.
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In the end, it has been said that India and China are ready to pacify each other through dialogue and will take steps to maintain peace and stability on the border. On the other hand, Senior Colonel Zhang Shui, spokesman for the Chinese Army’s Western War Zone, has made a similar statement but claimed that the Galvan region has always been part of China. While the reality is that since the year 1962 the area has been completely in the part of India and the Indian Army has been patrolling unabated there.
Meeting at several levels formed the basis of future strategy
According to sources, the meeting held at several levels in New Delhi has formed the basis of future strategy. The defense minister held a meeting with the three chiefs of the army where defense preparations have been confirmed. In two-stage talks, not only Ladakh but the entire eastern and western sectors, a 360-degree review of military preparedness has been done. Apart from this, the meeting between the Foreign Minister and the Defense Minister has served to give edge to future diplomatic preparations. PM Narendra Modi has been informed about these day-long meetings. The Indian side believes that despite the loss of life and property, China’s attitude of showing military strength in the eastern Ladakh region will not be tolerated.
